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

Which is why I’ve come to swear by a three-part drinks strategy that feels both streamlined and generous: a little choreography that keeps everyone content without turning you into the household beverage director.

Read more on Salon

The new choreography made its debut during the shakedown, which serves as the ultimate stress test.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

As the dance’s “Odd Man Out,” John Harnage, impressive all season, embodied his choreography’s feisty resistance with avidity.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The sextet learned the intricate, aerobic choreography for their Gap advert in just one day.

Read more on BBC

“It’s theater choreography that is very heavily laid into the story,” she said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• dance