Dictionary definition · opening
noun
- an open or empty space in or between things"there was a small opening between the trees"
- a ceremony accompanying the start of some enterprise
- becoming open or being made open"the opening of his arms was the sign I was waiting for"
- the first performance (as of a theatrical production)"the opening received good critical reviews"
- the act of opening something"the ray of light revealed his cautious opening of the door"
- opportunity especially for employment or promotion"there is an opening in the sales department"
- the initial part of the introduction"the opening established the basic theme"
- a possible alternative"bankruptcy is always a possibility"
- an aperture or hole that opens into a bodily cavity"the orifice into the aorta from the lower left chamber of the heart"
- a vacant or unobstructed space that is man-made"they left a small opening for the cat at the bottom of the door"
- an entrance equipped with a hatch; especially a passageway between decks of a ship
adjective
- first or beginning"the memorable opening bars of Beethoven's Fifth"
Source: Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0).