choreography

American  

[kawr-ee-og-ruh-fee, kohr-] / ˌkɔr iˈɒg rə fi, ˌkoʊr- /

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 British  

/ 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 Cultural  

1. The art of arranging dance movements for performance.

---

Other Word Forms

• choreographer noun
• choreographic adjective
• choreographically adverb

Etymology

Origin of choreography

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

Explanation

Use the noun choreography to describe the plan for how dancers will move on a stage during a show, play, or dance. You might particularly love the choreography in the movie West Side Story. You can use the word choreography to mean "dance" or "ballet," but its specific meaning is the notation a choreographer makes on paper as she plans out the complex movements and steps made by dancers. Choreography is particularly important in musical theater, ballet, opera, and dance recitals. The Greek roots of choreography are khoreia, "dance," and graphein, "to write."

Example Sentences

Ware's audience expects to dance, with her early material offering an opportunity to catch a breath between the choreography, effervescence and glitz.

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

They comment with equal sophistication on ballet steps, choreography, history, musicology and the minute details of costume design.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026

Nothing so clear as the Bard’s “two households, both alike in dignity” reveals itself as the choreography pours forth at its nearly nonstop pace.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 9, 2026

The story itself is relatively easy to follow: a heroine travels through different realms in an effort to restore balance, all while audiences are treated to impressive choreography, elaborate costumes and inventive stage effects.

From Salon • Mar. 7, 2026

The incident probably did occur, but with a different choreography.

From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson

Related Words

• dance