op·era
ˈä-p(ə-)rə 
Southern also ˈä-prē
1
: a drama set to music and made up of vocal pieces with orchestral accompaniment and orchestral overtures (see overture entry 1 sense 2) and interludes (see interlude sense 2)
2
: the score (see score entry 1 sense 6) of a musical drama
The composer finished the opera in just six weeks.
3
: the performance of an opera
The opera was delayed a half hour due to technical difficulties.
also
: a house where operas are performed
We'll meet you at the opera at 7 p.m.
Examples of opera in a Sentence
Noun
I am going to an opera tonight.
Recent Examples on the Web
The Know,
Denver Post,
5 July 2026
His mother was of European descent and his father was a Cantonese opera star who was on tour in the city, affording his son birthright citizenship.
—
Los Angeles Times,
3 July 2026
Black velvet opera gloves, black Giuseppe Zanotti heels and layers of Lorraine Schwartz jewelry gave fans plenty to work with.
—
Maggie Clancy,
Footwear News,
2 July 2026
Among the performances hosted there will be opera, ballet, and theater featuring local, regional, and international artists.
—
News Desk,
Artforum,
2 July 2026
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Noun
Born in 1967 in East Berlin, the author had a career in music and directing operas before turning to writing in the 1990s.
—
The Know,
Denver Post,
5 July 2026
His mother was of European descent and his father was a Cantonese opera star who was on tour in the city, affording his son birthright citizenship.
—
Los Angeles Times,
3 July 2026
Black velvet opera gloves, black Giuseppe Zanotti heels and layers of Lorraine Schwartz jewelry gave fans plenty to work with.
—
Maggie Clancy,
Footwear News,
2 July 2026
Among the performances hosted there will be opera, ballet, and theater featuring local, regional, and international artists.
—
News Desk,
Artforum,
2 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for opera
Cite this Entry
“Opera.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/opera. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
opera
1 of 2plural of opus
opera
2 of 2 noun
op·era
ˈäp-(ə-)rə
1
: a play in which usually the entire text is sung with orchestral accompaniment
2
: the performance of an opera
operatic
adjective
ˌäp-ə-ˈrat-ik
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