choreography
Americannoun
-
the art of composing ballets and other dances and planning and arranging the movements, steps, and patterns of dancers.
-
the technique of representing the various movements in dancing by a system of notation.
-
the arrangement or manipulation of actions leading up to an event.
the choreography of a surprise birthday party.
noun
-
the composition of dance steps and sequences for ballet and stage dancing
-
the steps and sequences of a ballet or dance
-
the notation representing such steps
-
the art of dancing
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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."
Vocabulary lists containing choreography
Dance - Introductory
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Dance - Middle School and High School
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Music is a reward for efficient work in “Severance,” whether it be a Defiant Jazz dance break or a rousing marching band performance by the Choreography and Merriment department.
From Salon • Dec. 14, 2025
But he's had to pick up a new skill for Eurovision: Choreography.
From BBC • May 16, 2025
“Raging Fire” also won for Best Editing as well as Best Action Choreography.
From Seattle Times • Jul. 17, 2022
Two years later, that sketch has become “I & I,” the center of gravity on a triple bill that his company, Kyle Marshall Choreography, offered on Friday at the new Chelsea Factory in Manhattan.
From New York Times • Apr. 10, 2022
Warm, funny, and articulate about her art, she discussed with enthusiasm the upcoming television special, Choreography by Balanchine, Part One, which will be aired May 23 on Channel 13.
From 100 New Yorkers of the 1970s by Millard, Max
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
