opening

[oh-puh-ning]

noun

1. an act or instance of making or becoming open.

   The opening of the tomb gathered much publicity.

   Antonyms: closing

2. the act of a person or thing that opens.

   Her opening of the ceremony was brilliantly handled.

3. an unobstructed or unoccupied space or place.

   That narrow opening between buildings is a good place to shelter from the rain.

4. a void in solid matter; a gap, hole, or aperture.

   There was a little opening in the door they used as a peephole.

   Synonyms: rent, fissure, cleft, chasm, rift, breach, slit, orifice

5. a tract of land thinly wooded as compared with adjoining forest tracts.

6. the act of beginning; start; commencement.

   Tomorrow is the opening of a new session of Congress.

7. the first part or initial stage of anything.

   During the opening, the store had extra late hours.

8. an employment vacancy; an unfilled position or job.

   There are no openings for waitstaff at the moment.

9. an opportunity; chance.

10. a formal or official beginning, as of a sport season or a season's sale of goods.

    Today marks the opening of the deer-hunting season.

    Swimsuits sold well at the summer opening.

11. the first performance of a theatrical production.

12. the first public showing or use of something.

    It's rare for there to be so many journalists at the opening of an art exhibition.

13. a celebration of the first public showing or performance or of the first use or start of something.

    The new supermarket is going to give away prizes at its opening.

14. Law.,  the statement of the case made by counsel to the court or jury preliminary to adducing evidence.

15. a mode of beginning a game.

    a manual of chess openings.

adjective

1. first, inaugural, commencing, or beginning.

   The opening chapter of the book caught my attention immediately.

opening

/ ˈəʊpənɪŋ /

noun

1. the act of making or becoming open

2. a vacant or unobstructed space, esp one that will serve as a passageway; gap

3. a tract in a forest in which trees are scattered or absent

4. the first part or stage of something

5. 1. the first performance of something, esp a theatrical production

   2. ( as modifier )

      the opening night

6. a specific or formal sequence of moves at the start of any of certain games, esp chess or draughts

7. an opportunity or chance, esp for employment or promotion in a business concern

8. law the preliminary statement made by counsel to the court or jury before adducing evidence in support of his case

Other Word Forms

• preopening adjective
• self-opening adjective
• unopening adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of opening¹

First recorded in 1125–75; Middle English; open ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

The Eagles' defence has also conceded just three goals in their opening six league matches this season, despite four of those coming against teams who finished in the top seven in 2024-25.

From BBC

We were told there were no agreed questions or approved areas of discussion and that he was opening up parts of Windsor Castle to the actor and film crew.

From BBC

The all-rounder now prepares to lead England in a World Cup for the first time, with their opening game against South Africa in Guwahati on Friday.

From BBC

The side were missing a host of players for the opening fixtures of the campaign when they beat Luxembourg and lost to Germany last month.

From BBC

Howe has rotated his team while fighting on multiple fronts in the opening weeks of the season.

From BBC

Related Words

• commencement 
• inauguration 
• kickoff 
• launch 
• launching www.thesaurus.com
• opener 
• start