OPENING

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does opening mean? 

• OPENING (noun)
  The noun OPENING has 13 senses:

1. an open or empty space in or between things

2. a ceremony accompanying the start of some enterprise

3. becoming open or being made open

4. the first performance (as of a theatrical production)

5. the act of opening something

6. opportunity especially for employment or promotion

7. the initial part of the introduction

8. a possible alternative

9. an aperture or hole that opens into a bodily cavity

10. a vacant or unobstructed space that is man-made

11. an entrance equipped with a hatch; especially a passageway between decks of a ship

12. a recognized sequence of moves at the beginning of a game of chess

13. the first of a series of actions

  Familiarity information: OPENING used as a noun is familiar.

• OPENING (adjective)
  The adjective OPENING has 1 sense:

1. first or beginning

  Familiarity information: OPENING used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• OPENING (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

An open or empty space in or between things

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural objects (not man-made)

Synonyms:

gap; opening

Context example:

the explosion made a gap in the wall

Hypernyms ("opening" is a kind of...):

space (an empty area (usually bounded in some way between things))

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "opening"):

window (an opening that resembles a window in appearance or function)

rent; rip; snag; split; tear (an opening made forcibly as by pulling apart)

rift (a gap between cloud masses)

mouth (an opening that resembles a mouth (as of a cave or a gorge))

hole (an opening into or through something)

cleft; crack; crevice; fissure; scissure (a long narrow opening)

chasm (a deep opening in the earth's surface)

breach (an opening (especially a gap in a dike or fortification))

foramen; hiatus (a natural opening or perforation through a bone or a membranous structure)

nodes of Ranvier; Ranvier's nodes (small gaps in the myelin sheath of medullated axons)

diastema (a gap or vacant space between two teeth)

pocket (an opening at the corner or on the side of a billiard table into which billiard balls are struck)

Holonyms ("opening" is a part of...):

Earth's surface; surface (the outermost level of the land or sea)

Derivation:

open (have an opening or passage or outlet)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A ceremony accompanying the start of some enterprise

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural events

Hypernyms ("opening" is a kind of...):

ceremonial; ceremonial occasion; ceremony; observance (a formal event performed on a special occasion)

Derivation:

open (begin or set in action, of meetings, speeches, recitals, etc.)

open (start to operate or function or cause to start operating or functioning)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Becoming open or being made open

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Context example:

the opening of his arms was the sign I was waiting for

Hypernyms ("opening" is a kind of...):

change of integrity (the act of changing the unity or wholeness of something)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "opening"):

cut; cutting (the act of penetrating or opening open with a sharp edge)

Derivation:

open (cause to open or to become open)

open (become open)

open (spread out or open from a closed or folded state)

Sense 4

Meaning:

The first performance (as of a theatrical production)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural events

Synonyms:

curtain raising; opening; opening night

Context example:

the opening received good critical reviews

Hypernyms ("opening" is a kind of...):

start (the beginning of anything)

Derivation:

opening (first or beginning)

Sense 5

Meaning:

The act of opening something

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Context example:

the ray of light revealed his cautious opening of the door

Hypernyms ("opening" is a kind of...):

motility; motion; move; movement (a change of position that does not entail a change of location)

Antonym:

closing (the act of closing something)

Derivation:

open (cause to open or to become open)

Sense 6

Meaning:

Opportunity especially for employment or promotion

Classified under:

Nouns denoting stable states of affairs

Context example:

there is an opening in the sales department

Hypernyms ("opening" is a kind of...):

chance; opportunity (a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances)

Derivation:

open (make available)

open (become available)

Sense 7

Meaning:

The initial part of the introduction

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Context example:

the opening established the basic theme

Hypernyms ("opening" is a kind of...):

introduction (the first section of a communication)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "opening"):

teaser (an attention-getting opening presented at the start of a television show)

salutation (word of greeting used to begin a letter)

Sense 8

Meaning:

A possible alternative

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Synonyms:

opening; possibility; possible action

Context example:

bankruptcy is always a possibility

Hypernyms ("opening" is a kind of...):

alternative; choice; option (one of a number of things from which only one can be chosen)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "opening"):

possible (something that can be done)

Sense 9

Meaning:

An aperture or hole that opens into a bodily cavity

Classified under:

Nouns denoting body parts

Synonyms:

opening; orifice; porta

Context example:

the orifice into the aorta from the lower left chamber of the heart

Hypernyms ("opening" is a kind of...):

passage; passageway (a path or channel or duct through or along which something may pass)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "opening"):

porta hepatis (opening for major blood vessels to enter and leave the liver)

rima (a narrow elongated opening or fissure between two symmetrical parts)

naris (any of the openings to the nasal cavities that allow air to flow through the cavities to the pharynx)

fontanel; fontanelle; soft spot (any membranous gap between the bones of the cranium in an infant or fetus)

anus (the excretory opening at the end of the alimentary canal)

pylorus (a small circular opening between the stomach and the duodenum)

external orifice; urethral orifice (the orifice through which urine is discharged)

introitus (entrance or opening to a hollow organ or tube (especially the vaginal opening))

cardia (the opening into the stomach and that part of the stomach connected to the esophagus)

cervix; cervix uteri; uterine cervix (necklike opening to the uterus)

os (a mouth or mouthlike opening)

mouth (the externally visible part of the oral cavity on the face and the system of organs surrounding the opening)

spiracle (a breathing orifice)

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))

aortic orifice (the orifice from the lower left chamber of the heart to the aorta)

blastopore (the opening into the archenteron)

vent (external opening of urinary or genital system of a lower vertebrate)

fenestra (a small opening covered with membrane (especially one in the bone between the middle and inner ear))

Derivation:

open (afford access to)

open (have an opening or passage or outlet)

Sense 10

Meaning:

A vacant or unobstructed space that is man-made

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Context example:

they left a small opening for the cat at the bottom of the door

Hypernyms ("opening" is a kind of...):

artefact; artifact (a man-made object taken as a whole)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "opening"):

neck; neck opening (an opening in a garment for the neck of the wearer; a part of the garment near the wearer's neck)

window (an opening in a wall or screen that admits light and air and through which customers can be served)

window (a transparent opening in a vehicle that allow vision out of the sides or back; usually is capable of being opened)

grille; lattice; wicket (small opening (like a window in a door) through which business can be transacted)

throat (an opening in the vamp of a shoe at the instep)

spout (an opening that allows the passage of liquids or grain)

slit (a long narrow opening)

embrasure; port; porthole (an opening (in a wall or ship or armored vehicle) for firing through)

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))

mouth (the opening of a jar or bottle)

interstice (small opening between things)

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; issue; outlet; way out (an opening that permits escape or release)

fly; fly front (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)

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)

fenestella; lunette (oval or circular opening; to allow light into a dome or vault)

Sense 11

Meaning:

An entrance equipped with a hatch; especially a passageway between decks of a ship

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

hatchway; opening; scuttle

Hypernyms ("opening" is a kind of...):

entrance; entranceway; entree; entry; entryway (something that provides access (to get in or get out))

Meronyms (parts of "opening"):

hatch (a movable barrier covering a hatchway)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "opening"):

escape hatch (hatchway that provides a means of escape in an emergency)

Derivation:

open (have an opening or passage or outlet)

Sense 12

Meaning:

A recognized sequence of moves at the beginning of a game of chess

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

chess opening; opening

Context example:

he memorized all the important chess openings

Hypernyms ("opening" is a kind of...):

sequence; succession (the action of following in order)

Domain category:

chess; chess game (a board game for two players who move their 16 pieces according to specific rules; the object is to checkmate the opponent's king)

Sense 13

Meaning:

The first of a series of actions

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

first step; initiative; opening; opening move

Hypernyms ("opening" is a kind of...):

beginning; commencement; start (the act of starting something)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "opening"):

first base (the initial stage in accomplishing something)

peace initiative (opening move in negotiating a peace treaty)

curtain raiser (any preliminary activity)

Derivation:

open (begin or set in action, of meetings, speeches, recitals, etc.)

open (start to operate or function or cause to start operating or functioning)

opening (first or beginning)

open (make the opening move)

• OPENING (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

First or beginning

Context example:

the play's opening scene

Similar:

beginning; first (serving to begin)

first; inaugural; initiative; initiatory; maiden (serving to set in motion)

introductory (serving to open or begin)

starting (appropriate to the beginning or start of an event)

Antonym:

closing (final or ending)

Derivation:

opening (the first of a series of actions)

opening (the first performance (as of a theatrical production))

 Context examples 

Darkness then came over me and troubled me, but hardly had I felt this when, by opening my eyes, as I now suppose, the light poured in upon me again.

(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)

“Dear me,” said Traddles, opening his eyes, “I had no idea you were such a determined character, Copperfield!”

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

“Now, you red-eyed devil,” he said, when he had made an opening sufficient for the passage of Buck’s body.

(The Call of the Wild, by Jack London)

There have been volcanoes, some of whose openings still send out waters of strange properties, and gases that kill or make to vivify.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

“And he is all the happier for leaving life alone. He is too busy living it to think about it. My mistake was in ever opening the books.”

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

Either of two (upper and lower) openings in the chest.

(Opening of the Thorax, NCI Thesaurus)

An operation to create an opening (a stoma) from an area inside the body to the outside.

(Ostomy, NCI Dictionary)

I must still make play and wait for a better opening.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

“To the devil with your tricks,” said John, opening and shutting his great red hands.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

By nine o'clock the next morning I was punctually opening the school; tranquil, settled, prepared for the steady duties of the day.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)