opening

verb

Present participle of open

adjective

1. Pertaining to the start or beginning of a series of events.

   “The opening theme of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony is, perhaps, the most recognizable in all of European art music.”

2. cricketDescribing the first period of play, usually up to the fall of the first wicket; describing a batsman who opens the innings or a bowler who opens the attack

noun

1. An act or instance of making or becoming open.

   “The daily openings of the day lily bloom gives it its name.”

   “He remembered fondly the Christmas morning opening of presents.”

2. A gap permitting passage through.

   “A salamander darted out of an opening in the rocks.”

   “He slipped through an opening in the crowd.”

3. An act or instance of beginning.

   “There have been few factory and store openings in the US lately.”

   “Their opening of the concert with Brass in Pocket always fires up the crowd.”

4. Something that is a beginning.

5. The first performance of a show or play by a particular troupe.

   “They were disappointed at the turnout for their opening, but hoped that word would spread.”

6. The initial period when a show at an art gallery or museum is first opened, especially the first evening.

7. The first few measures of a musical composition.

8. The first few moves in a game.

   “John spends two hours a day studying chess openings, and another two hours studying endgames.”

9. A vacant position, especially in an array.

   “Are there likely to be any openings on the Supreme Court in the next four years?”

10. A time available in a schedule.

    “If you'd like to make a booking with us, we have an opening at twelve o'clock.”

    “The only two-hour openings for the hockey rink are between 1AM and 5AM.”

11. An unoccupied employment position.

    “We have an opening in our marketing department.”

12. An opportunity, as in a competitive activity.

13. mathIn mathematical morphology, the dilation of the erosion of a set.

14. An open or empty space in or between things

    “there was a small opening between the trees”

    “the explosion made a gap in the wall”

    Similar: gap