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.

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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

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choreography Cultural  

1. The art of arranging dance movements for performance.

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Other Word Forms

• choreographer noun
• choreographic adjective
• choreographically adverb

Etymology

Origin of choreography

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

Example Sentences

Yes, choreography can add much-needed order and structure to an artistic work.

From Los Angeles Times

They worked with highland dance experts to perfect the choreography.

From BBC

The choreography, the music and the costumes would all be her choice.

From Los Angeles Times

In an unusual break from the usual choreography of visits by foreign leaders, the White House didn’t open the Oval Office sit-down to the press and skipped the customary greetings and joint remarks.

From The Wall Street Journal

Lee Martino’s choreography, like the production as a whole, is at its best when observing decorous constraints.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• dance