overture

American  

[oh-ver-cher, -choor] / ˈoʊ vər tʃər, -ˌtʃʊər /

noun

1. an opening or initiating move toward negotiations, a new relationship, an agreement, etc.; a formal or informal proposal or offer.

   overtures of peace; a shy man who rarely made overtures of friendship.

2. Music.

   1. an orchestral composition forming the prelude or introduction to an opera, oratorio, etc.

   2. an independent piece of similar character.

3. an introductory part, as of a poem; prelude; prologue.

4. (in Presbyterian churches)

   1. the action of an ecclesiastical court in submitting a question or proposal to presbyteries.

   2. the proposal or question so submitted.

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verb (used with object)

overtured, overturing

1. to submit as an overture or proposal.

   to overture conditions for a ceasefire.

2. to make an overture or proposal to.

   to overture one's adversary through a neutral party.

overture British  

/ ˈəʊvəˌtjʊə /

noun

1. music

   1. a piece of orchestral music containing contrasting sections that is played at the beginning of an opera or oratorio, often containing the main musical themes of the work

   2. a similar piece preceding the performance of a play

   3. Also called: concert overture.  a one-movement orchestral piece, usually having a descriptive or evocative title

   4. a short piece in three movements ( French overture or Italian overture ) common in the 17th and 18th centuries

2. (often plural) a proposal, act, or gesture initiating a relationship, negotiation, etc

3. something that introduces what follows

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verb

1. to make or present an overture to

2. to introduce with an overture

overture Cultural  

1. A piece of music for instruments alone, written as an introduction to a longer work, such as an opera, an oratorio, or a musical comedy.

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Related Words

See proposal.

Etymology

Origin of overture

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Old French; overt, -ure; doublet of aperture

Example Sentences

First, there’s a pantomimed back story: During the overture, actors depicting the lovers as young teens flirt and are discouraged by adults.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 2, 2026

In another overture, he persuaded Jessica Tisch—the city’s police commissioner—to stay in her job in his administration.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 1, 2026

Pyongyang has not responded to the overture from Lee, who has sought to mend fractured ties with the North.

From Barron's • Dec. 26, 2025

By contrast, “Shadow Ticket” offers a wildly seductive overture, a companionable but occasionally slack midsection, and a haunting sucker punch of an ending.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 30, 2025

Of this first dream, the overture, he remembered only the climate, which had been like the climate of his day—heavy, with danger everywhere, Satan at his shoulder trying to bring him down.

From "Go Tell It on the Mountain" by James Baldwin

Related Words

• bid
• invitation
• presentation
• proposal
• proposition
• signal
• suggestion