opening

Definitions

1. verb

   The form of open that shows the action is happening now.

   Examples

   • The store is opening soon, so let us wait outside.
   • The gates were opening as the crowd gathered.
2. adjective

   Coming first or at the start.

   Examples

   • The opening ceremony drew a huge crowd.
   • His opening remarks set a hopeful tone.
3. adjective

   In cricket, describes the first part of a match.

   Examples

   • The opening pair scored a hundred runs before lunch.
   • The opening stand was the highlight of the morning.
4. adjective

   In cricket, describes the player who starts the batting or bowling.

   Examples

   • The opening bowler took two wickets in his first over.
   • She was the team's opening batter for most of the season.
5. noun

   The act of becoming open.

   Examples

   • The opening of the flower gives it its name.
   • He remembered the opening of presents on Christmas morning.
6. noun

   A gap that lets something pass through.

   Examples

   • A lizard darted out of an opening in the rocks.
   • He slipped through an opening in the crowd.
   ≈hole
7. noun

   The start of something.

   Examples

   • The opening of the new shop attracted many people.
   • Their opening song always excites the crowd.
8. noun

   The first show of a play or musical.

   Examples

   • The critics came to the opening of the new musical.
   • The opening got a standing ovation.
9. noun

   The first evening of an art show or fashion show.

   Examples

   • The gallery held a party for the opening.
   • Hundreds came to the exhibition's opening.
10. noun

    The first few bars of a piece of music.

    Examples

    • The opening of the symphony is easy to recognize.
    • He hummed the opening of the song.