ˈōp(ə)niŋ, -pnēŋ noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from gerund of openen to open
1.
a. : an act or instance of making or becoming open
the slow opening of the door
the opening of distant markets
b. : an act or instance of beginning : a first step toward starting or activating (as of an enterprise)
the opening of two new stores helped the neighborhood
especially : a formal and usually public event by which something new is put officially into operation
the mayor spoke at the opening of the new bridge
2. : something that is open: as
a.
(1) : breach , aperture
planned the openings for the doors and windows
(2) : an open width : spread , span
b. : an indentation of water into land : strait , bay , gulf
c. : an area without trees or with scattered usually mature trees that occurs as a break in a forest — compare oak opening
d. : two pages that face one another in a book
e. : the daily beginning of trading on an exchange ; also : the prices of the initial transaction in a particular stock or commodity futures contract on an exchange
3. : something that constitutes a beginning : an initial stage, instance, part, or event
the opening of his speech
as
a. : a lawyer's statement of his case prior to adducing evidence
b. : the first phase of a game (as of chess or cards) ; specifically : a planned series of moves made at the beginning of a game of chess or checkers — compare end game , middle game
c. : the introductory and often burlesque part of a pantomime — compare harlequinade
d. : a first performance (as of a play or an artist)
4.
a. : something (as a circumstance) that constitutes an opportunity or occasion
waiting for an opening to tell his story
b. : a professional or business vacancy : an opportunity for employment
there are always openings for qualified engineers
c. : a scoring opportunity in a sports competition especially as a result of a mistake or lapse by the opponent