# opening

Pronunciation: say "OH-puh-ning" US /ˈoʊ.pə.nɪŋ/, UK /ˈəʊ.pə.nɪŋ/; AUS say "OHP-ning" /ˈəʉp.nɪŋ/

## Adjective

1. Coming at or relating to the start of something, such as a series of events, a speech, or a cricket innings, where the opening batsmen and bowler begin play.
   - Simple: Coming first or at the start of something.
   - _The opening chapter introduces the main characters._
   - _His opening statement laid out the argument clearly._

## Verb

2. Present participle of open. — present participle and gerund of open
   - Simple: Present participle of open, the form of the verb that ends in -ing.
   - _The store is opening earlier during the holiday season._
   - _They are opening a new branch downtown next week._

## Noun

3. The first time a play, show, or exhibition, or a new building or business, opens to the public, or the event held to mark it.
   - Simple: The first day or night that a play, show, exhibition, or new place is open to the public.
   - _Hundreds of people lined up for the opening of the new library, and the mayor cut the ribbon at exactly ten o'clock._
   - _Nerves ran high backstage before the company's opening._
4. A gap that allows passage through something.
   - Simple: A gap or hole that lets someone or something pass through.
   - _A narrow opening in the rock face let the climbers reach the cave._
   - _Cold air poured through the opening where the window had broken._
5. The beginning or first part of something, such as an inquiry, a speech, a book, or a piece of music.
   - Simple: The start or first part of something.
   - _The opening of the inquiry marked a turning point in the case._
   - _The novel's opening is slow, but the final chapters are gripping._
6. An act or instance of making something open, or of it becoming open.
   - Simple: The act of making something open, or of it becoming open.
   - _The automatic opening of the doors startled the new visitors._
   - _The gradual opening of the petals revealed bright yellow centers._
7. An available place that has not yet been filled, especially a job; also a free spot in a group or lineup, or a free time for an appointment.
   - Simple: A job, place, or time that is free for someone to take.
   - _There's an opening in the accounting department starting next month._
   - _He filled the opening left by the retiring manager._
8. An opportunity, especially in a competition or contest.
   - Simple: A chance to do well, often in a game or contest.
   - _The boxer spotted an opening and landed a quick jab._
   - _The negotiator looked for any opening to break the deadlock._
9. The first few moves in a game, such as chess.
   - Simple: The first few moves at the start of a game.
   - _She favors an aggressive opening that pressures her opponent early._
   - _Grandmasters memorize hundreds of openings._

## Other meanings

- (noun) In mathematical morphology, the set obtained by first eroding a set and then dilating the result, using the same structuring element.

## Origin

**Meanings 1–2** — This form comes from Middle English openynge, from Old English openiende, the present participle of the verb meaning "to open" (open + -ing). It is related to Dutch openend, German öffnend, and Swedish öppnande.
**Meanings 3–9** — This noun comes from Middle English openyng, from Old English openung ("an opening"), formed from open + -ing. It is related to West Frisian iepening, Dutch opening, German Öffnung, and Swedish öppning.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/opening (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).