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performing arts

American  

plural noun

  1. arts or skills that require public performance, as acting, singing, or dancing.


performing arts British  

plural noun

  1. the arts that are primarily performed before an audience, such as dance and drama

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of performing arts

First recorded in 1945–50

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:

As a senior, Elsesser was named best new artist at the Guild Hall Exhibition, the youngest-ever recipient at the prestigious visual and performing arts center in East Hampton.

From Los Angeles Times Sep. 7, 2026

That skill is cultivated through education in the performing arts.

From Salon Jul. 30, 2026

Many of the 1,500 unique job titles represent specialist roles, like a lighting technician for performing arts who may also tune the pianos.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 17, 2026

Aged six, she went to a boarding school run by nuns, where the performing arts and elocution lessons were encouraged.

From BBC Jun. 29, 2026

“True, you would have learned in a performing arts class if you’d taken one. Pity.”

From "Sparrow" by Sarah Moon

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