choreography

[kawr-ee-og-ruh-fee, kohr-]

noun

1. the art of composing ballets and other dances and planning and arranging the movements, steps, and patterns of dancers.

2. the technique of representing the various movements in dancing by a system of notation.

3. the arrangement or manipulation of actions leading up to an event.

   the choreography of a surprise birthday party.

choreography

/ ˌkɒrɪəˈɡræfɪk, ˌkɒrɪˈɒɡrəfɪ, kɒˈrɛɡrəfɪ, ˌkɒrəˈɡræfɪk /

noun

1. the composition of dance steps and sequences for ballet and stage dancing

2. the steps and sequences of a ballet or dance

3. the notation representing such steps

4. the art of dancing

choreography

1. The art of arranging dance movements for performance.

Other Word Forms

• choreographic adjective
• choreographically adverb
• choreographer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of choreography¹

1780–90; < Greek chore- (stem of choreía chorea ) + -o- + -graphy

Word History and Origins

Origin of choreography¹

C18: from Greek khoreia dance + _-graphy

Example Sentences

Opera advertises Robbins’ choreography as an attraction, and the dancing thrills as advertised, it is very 1957.

From Los Angeles Times

To get the best out of these players, the choreography of carefully woven passes from the back is appearing to become more unfashionable.

From BBC

It’s adorable to see Farrell relive starring in a high school class musical, leaping, twisting and grinning through the dorky choreography.

From Los Angeles Times

"The choreography of camera and bodies, should you care to contemplate it, is remarkable, navigating crowds and corridors and public places with impossible grace," noted the LA Times.

From BBC

“Beyoncé Bowl” received five overall nominations, including for choreography, production design and directing for a variety special.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• dance