opening opening /ˈoʊpənɪŋ/

adjective

1. () First or beginning  ( opening )
   first or beginning
    The memorable opening bars of Beethoven's Fifth
   the memorable opening bars of Beethoven's Fifth
    The play's opening scene
   the play's opening scene
   

noun

1. () An open or empty space in or between things  ( gap , opening )
   an open or empty space in or between things
    There was a small opening between the trees
   there was a small opening between the trees
    The explosion made a gap in the wall
   the explosion made a gap in the wall
   
2. () Becoming open or being made open  ( opening )
   becoming open or being made open
    The opening of his arms was the sign I was waiting for
   the opening of his arms was the sign I was waiting for
   
3. () A ceremony accompanying the start of some enterprise  ( opening )
   a ceremony accompanying the start of some enterprise
   
4. () The act of opening something  ( opening )
   the act of opening something
    The ray of light revealed his cautious opening of the door
   the ray of light revealed his cautious opening of the door
   
5. () The first performance (as of a theatrical production)  ( curtain raising , opening night , opening )
   the first performance (as of a theatrical production)
    The opening received good critical reviews
   the opening received good critical reviews
   
6. The first of a series of actions  ( opening , opening move , initiative , first step )
   the first of a series of actions
     Taking the first step towards your goal is often the hardest.
   Taking the first step towards your goal is often the hardest.
   
7. (chess) a recognized sequence of moves at the beginning of a game of chess  ( chess opening , opening )
   (chess) a recognized sequence of moves at the beginning of a game of chess
    He memorized all the important chess openings
   he memorized all the important chess openings
   
   
8. An entrance equipped with a hatch; especially a passageway between decks of a ship  ( opening , scuttle , hatchway )
   an entrance equipped with a hatch; especially a passageway between decks of a ship
   
9. A vacant or unobstructed space that is man-made  ( opening )
   a vacant or unobstructed space that is man-made
    They left a small opening for the cat at the bottom of the door
   they left a small opening for the cat at the bottom of the door
   
10. An aperture or hole that opens into a bodily cavity  ( opening , porta , orifice )
    an aperture or hole that opens into a bodily cavity
     The orifice into the aorta from the lower left chamber of the heart
    the orifice into the aorta from the lower left chamber of the heart
    
11. A possible alternative  ( opening , possible action , possibility )
    a possible alternative
     Bankruptcy is always a possibility
    bankruptcy is always a possibility
    
12. The initial part of the introduction  ( opening )
    the initial part of the introduction
     The opening established the basic theme
    the opening established the basic theme
    
13. Opportunity especially for employment or promotion  ( opening )
    opportunity especially for employment or promotion
     There is an opening in the sales department
    there is an opening in the sales department