opening

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o·pen·ing

(ō′pə-nĭng)

1. The act or an instance of becoming open or being made to open: the opening of the tomb.

a. A gap, breach, or aperture: slipped through an opening in the hedge.

b. A clearing in the woods.

a. The first part or stage, as of a book.

b. The first performance: the opening of a play.

c. A formal commencement of operation: attended the opening of the new museum.

d. A specific pattern or series of beginning moves in certain games, especially chess.

a. An opportunity affording a chance of success. See Synonyms at opportunity.

b. An unfilled job or position; a vacancy.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

opening

(ˈəʊpənɪŋ)

1. the act of making or becoming open

2. a vacant or unobstructed space, esp one that will serve as a passageway; gap

3. (Forestry) chiefly US a tract in a forest in which trees are scattered or absent

4. the first part or stage of something

5. (Theatre)

a. the first performance of something, esp a theatrical production

b. (as modifier): the opening night.

6. (Chess & Draughts) a specific or formal sequence of moves at the start of any of certain games, esp chess or draughts

7. an opportunity or chance, esp for employment or promotion in a business concern

8. (Law) law the preliminary statement made by counsel to the court or jury before adducing evidence in support of his or her case

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

o•pen•ing

(ˈoʊ pə nɪŋ)

n.

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

2. an unobstructed or unoccupied space or place.

3. a hole or void in solid matter.

4. the act of beginning; start.

5. the first part or initial stage of anything.

6. an employment vacancy.

7. an opportunity; chance.

a. the formal or official beginning of an activity, event, presentation, etc.

b. a celebration marking this.

9. the statement of the case made by legal counsel to the court or jury before presenting evidence.

10. a mode of beginning a game.

[1125–75]

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

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Noun	1.	opening - 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" gap pocket - an opening at the corner or on the side of a billiard table into which billiard balls are struck diastema - a gap or vacant space between two teeth nodes of Ranvier, Ranvier's nodes - small gaps in the myelin sheath of medullated axons foramen, hiatus - a natural opening or perforation through a bone or a membranous structure breach - an opening (especially a gap in a dike or fortification) chasm - a deep opening in the earth's surface crack, scissure, cleft, crevice, fissure - a long narrow opening hole - an opening into or through something mouth - an opening that resembles a mouth (as of a cave or a gorge); "he rode into the mouth of the canyon"; "they built a fire at the mouth of the cave" rift - a gap between cloud masses; "the sun shone through a rift in the clouds" rent, rip, tear, snag, split - an opening made forcibly as by pulling apart; "there was a rip in his pants"; "she had snags in her stockings" Earth's surface, surface - the outermost level of the land or sea; "earthquakes originate far below the surface"; "three quarters of the Earth's surface is covered by water" window - an opening that resembles a window in appearance or function; "he could see them through a window in the trees" space - an empty area (usually bounded in some way between things); "the architect left space in front of the building"; "they stopped at an open space in the jungle"; "the space between his teeth"
	2.	opening - a ceremony accompanying the start of some enterprise ceremonial, ceremonial occasion, ceremony, observance - a formal event performed on a special occasion; "a ceremony commemorating Pearl Harbor"
	3.	opening - becoming open or being made open; "the opening of his arms was the sign I was waiting for" change of integrity - the act of changing the unity or wholeness of something cutting, cut - the act of penetrating or opening open with a sharp edge; "his cut in the lining revealed the hidden jewels"
	4.	opening - the first performance (as of a theatrical production); "the opening received good critical reviews" curtain raising, opening night start - the beginning of anything; "it was off to a good start"
	5.	opening - the act of opening something; "the ray of light revealed his cautious opening of the door" movement, motility, motion, move - a change of position that does not entail a change of location; "the reflex motion of his eyebrows revealed his surprise"; "movement is a sign of life"; "an impatient move of his hand"; "gastrointestinal motility" closing, shutting - the act of closing something
	6.	opening - opportunity especially for employment or promotion; "there is an opening in the sales department" chance, opportunity - a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances; "the holiday gave us the opportunity to visit Washington"; "now is your chance"
	7.	opening - the initial part of the introduction; "the opening established the basic theme" introduction - the first section of a communication teaser - an attention-getting opening presented at the start of a television show salutation - word of greeting used to begin a letter
	8.	opening - a possible alternative; "bankruptcy is always a possibility" possible action, possibility alternative, option, choice - one of a number of things from which only one can be chosen; "what option did I have?"; "there no other alternative"; "my only choice is to refuse" possible - something that can be done; "politics is the art of the possible"
	9.	opening - an aperture or hole that opens into a bodily cavity; "the orifice into the aorta from the lower left chamber of the heart" orifice, porta vent - external opening of urinary or genital system of a lower vertebrate blastopore - the opening into the archenteron aortic orifice - the orifice from the lower left chamber of the heart to the aorta stoma - a mouth or mouthlike opening (especially one created by surgery on the surface of the body to create an opening to an internal organ) passageway, passage - a path or channel or duct through or along which something may pass; "the nasal passages" porta hepatis - opening for major blood vessels to enter and leave the liver spiracle - a breathing orifice mouth - the externally visible part of the oral cavity on the face and the system of organs surrounding the opening; "she wiped lipstick from her mouth" os - a mouth or mouthlike opening cervix uteri, uterine cervix, cervix - necklike opening to the uterus fenestra - a small opening covered with membrane (especially one in the bone between the middle and inner ear) cardia - the opening into the stomach and that part of the stomach connected to the esophagus introitus - entrance or opening to a hollow organ or tube (especially the vaginal opening); "the introitus of the vagina" external orifice, urethral orifice - the orifice through which urine is discharged pylorus - a small circular opening between the stomach and the duodenum anus - the excretory opening at the end of the alimentary canal fontanel, fontanelle, soft spot - any membranous gap between the bones of the cranium in an infant or fetus naris - any of the openings to the nasal cavities that allow air to flow through the cavities to the pharynx rima - a narrow elongated opening or fissure between two symmetrical parts
	10.	opening - a vacant or unobstructed space that is man-made; "they left a small opening for the cat at the bottom of the door" artefact, artifact - a man-made object taken as a whole aperture - an man-made opening; usually small bell - the flared opening of a tubular device breech, rear of barrel, rear of tube - opening in the rear of the barrel of a gun where bullets can be loaded exit, way out, outlet, issue - an opening that permits escape or release; "he blocked the way out"; "the canyon had only one issue" fly front, fly - an opening in a garment that is closed by a zipper or by buttons concealed under a fold of cloth crack, gap - a narrow opening; "he opened the window a crack" gun muzzle, muzzle - the open circular discharging end of a gun hole - an opening deliberately made in or through something inlet, intake - an opening through which fluid is admitted to a tube or container interstice - small opening between things fenestella, lunette - oval or circular opening; to allow light into a dome or vault mouth - the opening of a jar or bottle; "the jar had a wide mouth" neck opening, neck - an opening in a garment for the neck of the wearer; a part of the garment near the wearer's neck pass-through - an opening that resembles a window between two rooms (especially a shelved opening between a kitchen and dining room that is used to pass dishes) embrasure, porthole, port - an opening (in a wall or ship or armored vehicle) for firing through slit - a long narrow opening spout - an opening that allows the passage of liquids or grain throat - an opening in the vamp of a shoe at the instep grille, lattice, wicket - small opening (like a window in a door) through which business can be transacted window - a transparent opening in a vehicle that allow vision out of the sides or back; usually is capable of being opened window - an opening in a wall or screen that admits light and air and through which customers can be served; "he stuck his head in the window"
	11.	opening - an entrance equipped with a hatch; especially a passageway between decks of a ship hatchway, scuttle entrance, entranceway, entryway, entree, entry - something that provides access (to get in or get out); "they waited at the entrance to the garden"; "beggars waited just outside the entryway to the cathedral" escape hatch - hatchway that provides a means of escape in an emergency hatch - a movable barrier covering a hatchway
	12.	opening - a recognized sequence of moves at the beginning of a game of chess; "he memorized all the important chess openings" chess opening chess game, chess - a board game for two players who move their 16 pieces according to specific rules; the object is to checkmate the opponent's king succession, sequence - the action of following in order; "he played the trumps in sequence"
	13.	opening - the first of a series of actions first step, opening move, initiative commencement, start, beginning - the act of starting something; "he was responsible for the beginning of negotiations" curtain raiser - any preliminary activity first base - the initial stage in accomplishing something; "we didn't get to first base with that approach" peace initiative - opening move in negotiating a peace treaty
Adj.	1.	opening - first or beginning; "the memorable opening bars of Beethoven's Fifth"; "the play's opening scene" closing - final or ending; "the closing stages of the election"; "the closing weeks of the year"; "the closing scene of the film"; "closing remarks"

opening

adjective

1. first, early, earliest, beginning, premier, primary, initial, maiden, inaugural, commencing, introductory, initiatory the season's opening game

noun

1. beginning, start, launch, launching, birth, dawn, outset, starting point, onset, overture, initiation, inauguration, inception, commencement, kickoff (informal), opening move the opening of peace talks
beginning ending, close, finish, conclusion, winding up (informal), completion, finale, termination, culmination, cessation

2. hole, break, space, tear, split, crack, gap, rent, breach, slot, outlet, vent, puncture, rupture, aperture, cleft, chink, fissure, orifice, perforation, interstice He squeezed through an opening in the fence.
hole seal, plug, closure, obstruction, stoppage, blockage, occlusion

3. opportunity, chance, break (informal), time, place, moment, window, occasion, look-in (informal) All she needed was an opening to show her capabilities.

4. job, position, post, situation, opportunity, vacancy We don't have any openings just now, but we'll call you.

Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002

opening

noun

1. An open space allowing passage:

aperture, hole, mouth, orifice, outlet, vent.

2. The initial stage of a developmental process:

beginning, birth, commencement, dawn, genesis, inception, nascence, nascency, onset, origin, outset, spring, start.

3. The act or process of bringing or being brought into existence:

beginning, commencement, inauguration, inception, incipience, incipiency, initiation, launch, leadoff, origination, start.

Informal: kickoff.

4. A favorable or advantageous combination of circumstances:

break, chance, occasion, opportunity.

Informal: shot.

Translations

إفْتِتاحبِدايَه، إفْتِتاحِيَّهفَتْحَه، ثَغْرَه، ثَقْبوَظيفَه شاغِرَه

åbningindledningindlednings-mulighed

Öffnung Eröffnung Gelegenheit Öffnen Anfang

άνοιγμα εναρκτήριος

abertura apertura inauguración oportunidad vano

débat débouché ouverture

álláslehetõségnyitás

op, gat; rjóîuropnuntækifæri, möguleikarupphaf, opnun, upphafsorî

apertura breccia inizio occasione stura

отверстие открытие

odprtinaodprtjezačetek

açıklık açılışbaş tarafbaşlangıç delik

开业开始开幕开张开端

opening

[ˈəʊpnɪŋ]

A. ADJ [remark] → primer(o); [ceremony, speech] → de apertura, inaugural; [price] → inicial

B. N

1. (= gap) → abertura f; (in wall) → brecha f, agujero m; (in clouds, trees) → claro m

2. (= beginning) → comienzo m, principio m (Cards, Chess) → apertura f; (= first showing) (Theat) → estreno m; [of exhibition] → inauguración f; [of parliament] → apertura f

3. (= chance) → oportunidad f; (= post) → puesto m vacante, vacante f
to give one's opponent an opening → dar una oportunidad or (LAm) darle chance al adversario
to give sb an opening for sth → dar a algn la oportunidad de hacer algo

C. CPD opening hours NPL → horas fpl de abrir
opening night N (Theat) → noche f de estreno; [of club etc] → inauguración f
opening price N → cotización f de apertura
opening stock N → existencias fpl iniciales
opening time N → hora f de apertura

Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

opening

[ˈəʊpənɪŋ]

(= hole) → ouverture f

(= inauguration) [new building] → ouverture f
Prince Edward attended the opening of the new theatre → Le prince Edward a assisté à l'ouverture du nouveau théâtre.
the official opening of sth [hospital, theatre, museum] → l'ouverture officielle de qch opening ceremony

(= opportunity) → ouverture f

(= beginning) → début m

(= job) → poste m vacant

adj (= first) [event] → d'ouverture; [item, section] → premier/ière
the season's opening game → le match d'ouverture de la saison
the opening lines of a poem → les premiers vers du poème
the opening scene of the play → la première scène de la pièce

[day, week] → premier/ière opening act, opening arguments, opening balance, opening batsman, opening bowler, opening gambitopening act n [concert, event] → première partie fopening arguments npl (US) → exposé m introductifopening balance n → solde m d'ouvertureopening batsman n → premier batteur m de la mancheopening bowler n → premier lanceur m de la mancheopening ceremony n → cérémonie f d'ouvertureopening gambit n

(= opening tactic) → entame f

(= conversational opener) → entame f de conversationopening hours npl → heures fpl d'ouvertureopening night n → première fopening time

n [shop, bank, library, bar] → heure f d'ouverture opening times

npl [shop, restaurant, museum] (= opening hours) → heures fpl d'ouvertureopen-jaw [ˌəʊpənˈdʒɔː] adj [ticket, travel, traveller] permettant d'arriver dans une ville et de repartir dans une autreopen learning n → éducation f continueopen learning centre n → centre m d'éducation continueopen letter n → lettre f ouverte

Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

opening

→ Öffnung f; (in hedge, branches, clouds, wall etc also) → Loch nt; (= cleft) → Spalt m; (in traffic stream) → Lücke f; (= forest clearing) → Lichtung f; (fig: in conversation) → Anknüpfungspunkt m

(= beginning, initial stages) → Anfang m; (Chess, Cards) → Eröffnung f

(= official opening) (of exhibition, stores) → Eröffnung f; (of building) → Einweihung f, → Eröffnung f; (of motorway) → Freigabe f → (für den Verkehr); Opening of Parliament → Parlamentseröffnung f

(= action) (of door, mouth, bottle, letter, pub, shop etc) → Öffnen nt; (of flower) → Aufgehen nt; (of account) → Eröffnung f; (= setting up: of shop, school etc) → Eröffnen nt, → Aufmachen nt; hours of opening → Öffnungszeiten pl

(= opportunity) → Möglichkeit f, → Chance f; (= job vacancy) → (freie) Stelle; he gave his adversary an opening → er bot seinem Gegner eine Blöße; leave an opening for negotiations → lassen Sie die Möglichkeit für Verhandlungen offen

attr (= initial, first) → erste(r, s); remarks → einführend; opening speech → Eröffnungsrede f; opening move → erster Zug; (Chess also) → Eröffnungszug m

opening

opening ceremony

n → Eröffnungsfeierlichkeiten pl

opening hours

pl → Öffnungszeiten pl

opening night

n → Eröffnungsvorstellung f → (am Abend)

opening price

n (St Ex) → Eröffnungs- or Anfangskurs m

opening stock market

n (St Ex) → Börsenbeginn m

opening time

n → Öffnungszeit f; what are the bank’s openings? → wann hat die Bank geöffnet?; when is opening on Sundays? → wann machen am Sonntag die Lokale auf?

Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007

opening

[ˈəʊpnɪŋ]

1. adj (gen) → d'apertura; (ceremony, speech) → d'apertura, inaugurale

2. n

a. (gap) → apertura; (in wall) → breccia

b. (beginning) → inizio (also official opening) (of factory, hospital) → inaugurazione f; (first performance, of film, play) → prima (rappresentazione f)

c. (opportunity) → occasione f, possibilità f inv; (post) → posto vacante
to give one's opponent an opening → offrire il fianco all'avversario

Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995

open

(ˈəupən) adjective

1. not shut, allowing entry or exit. an open box; The gate is wide open.

2. allowing the inside to be seen. an open book.

3. ready for business etc. The shop is open on Sunday afternoons; After the fog had cleared, the airport was soon open again; The gardens are open to the public.

4. not kept secret. an open show of affection.

5. frank. He was very open with me about his work.

6. still being considered etc. Leave the matter open.

7. empty, with no trees, buildings etc. I like to be out in the open country; an open space.

verb

1. to make or become open. He opened the door; The door opened; The new shop opened last week.

2. to begin. He opened the meeting with a speech of welcome.

ˈopener noun

something that opens (something). a tin-opener.

ˈopening noun

1. a hole; a clear or open space. an opening in the fence/forest.

2. a beginning. the opening of the film; (also adjective) the chairman's opening remarks.

3. the act of becoming or making open, the ceremony of making open. the opening of a flower/shop/door; the opening of the new theatre.

4. an opportunity for work. There are good openings in the automobile industry.

ˈopenly adverb

frankly. She talked very openly about it.

ˈopen-air adjective

outside. an open-air meeting.

ˌopen-ˈminded adjective

willing to consider new ideas. an open-minded approach to the problem.

ˌopen-ˈplan adjective

(of a building) built with few walls inside. an open-plan office.

be an open secret

to be known to many people although supposed to be a secret. It's an open secret that she's getting married next week.

bring (something) out into the open

to make (something) public. This affair has been kept a secret for too long – it's time it was brought out into the open.

in the open

outside; in the open air. It's very healthy for children to be able to play in the open.

in the open air

not in a building. If it doesn't rain, we'll have the party in the open air.

keep/have an open mind

to have a willingness to listen to or accept new ideas, other people's suggestions etc (eg before making a decision). It doesn't seem to be a very good plan, but I think we should keep an open mind about it for the time being.

open on to

(of a door etc) to open towards. Our front door opens straight on to the street.

the open sea

any area of sea far from land. When they reached the open sea, they were faced with large waves.

open to

1. likely or willing to receive. open to charges of corruption; open to suggestions from any member of staff.

2. possible. There are only two courses of action open to us.

open up

1. to open (a shop etc). I open up the shop at nine o'clock every morning.

2. to open (a box etc) completely. He opened up the parcel.

3. to open the (main) door of a building etc. `Open up!' shouted the policeman. `We know you are in there!'

with open arms

in a very friendly way. They received their visitors with open arms.

o·pen·ing

n. abertura, orificio de entrada o salida.

opening

n abertura

Mentioned in ?

References in classic literature ?

Though speechless, he appeared conscious, and it was thought by those who knew him best that if the end had unfortunately been delayed beyond the usual hour for opening the store the effect upon him would have been deplorable.

View in context

"In the farthest angle of the second opening," said the cardinal's will.

View in context

We were surprised that, after moving as far as we had along the valley, we should still meet with the same impervious thickets; and thinking, that although the borders of the stream might be lined for some distance with them, yet beyond there might be more open ground, I requested Toby to keep a bright look-out upon one side, while I did the same on the other, in order to discover some opening in the bushes, and especially to watch for the slightest appearance of a path or anything else that might indicate the vicinity of the islanders.

View in context

At first the movements about those spots were of a humble kind--those that belong to domestic service or agricultural needs--the opening of doors and windows, the sweeping and brushing, and generally the restoration of habitual order.

View in context

By what mad road, through what passages of mystery and darkness known to him alone had Erik dragged that pure-souled child to the awful haunt, with the Louis-Philippe room, opening out on the lake?

View in context

But, seeking carefully, Captain Nemo soon found a narrow opening, through which he boldly slipped, knowing, however, that it would close behind him.

View in context

"Here is shelter for one at least, John Carter," he said, and, glancing down, I saw an opening in the base of the tree about three feet in diameter.

View in context

Cautiously opening the gate the fellow peered carefully along the wall upon the outside in the direction from which he had come.

View in context

"Some one should take command of this boat," spoke up Jane Porter, thoroughly disgusted with the disgraceful wrangling that had marked the very opening of a forced companionship that might last for many days.

View in context

He led Anne into the next room; and, opening the shutter, pointed to the garden.

View in context

But here, there can be no question of an opening of any sort.

View in context

There was no projecting shadow large enough to obscure the man; there was no turning near that he could have taken; nor had there been any audible sound of the opening and closing of a door.