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door opener

American  
Or door-opener

noun

  1. a mechanism that automatically opens a door, as of a garage, when actuated by a radio transmitter, electric eye, or other device.

  2. Informal. something that is effective in leading to opportunity or success.

    Sales experience can be a door opener for young executives.


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.

See Examples For:

“That can be a major door opener for a lot of kids that would not be on the list for individual schools on academic record alone.”

From The Wall Street Journal Feb. 22, 2026

He said he "reconnected" with the song, which he now saw as a "door opener".

From BBC Oct. 17, 2023

"I hope we can now be a door opener for other organizations as well. That's what we're seeking."

From Reuters May 24, 2023

Reconnect your garage door opener if you set it to manual.

From Los Angeles Times Jan. 4, 2023

Thank God we heard the automatic garage door opener when we did.

From "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" by Stephen Chbosky

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