opening

Meanings

• an open or empty space in or between things
  • "there was a small opening between the trees"
• a ceremony accompanying the start of some enterprise
• becoming open or being made open
  • "the opening of his arms was the sign I was waiting for"
• the first performance (as of a theatrical production)
  • "the opening received good critical reviews"
• the act of opening something
  • "the ray of light revealed his cautious opening of the door"
• opportunity especially for employment or promotion
  • "there is an opening in the sales department"
• the initial part of the introduction
  • "the opening established the basic theme"
• a possible alternative
• an aperture or hole that opens into a bodily cavity
• a vacant or unobstructed space that is man-made
  • "they left a small opening for the cat at the bottom of the door"
• an entrance equipped with a hatch; especially a passageway between decks of a ship
• a recognized sequence of moves at the beginning of a game of chess
  • "he memorized all the important chess openings"
• the first of a series of actions
• cause to open or to become open
• start to operate or function or cause to start operating or functioning
• become open
• begin or set in action, of meetings, speeches, recitals, etc.
• spread out or open from a closed or folded state
• make available
• become available
• have an opening or passage or outlet
• make the opening move
  • "Kasparov opened with a standard opening"
• afford access to
• display the contents of a file or start an application as on a computer
• first or beginning
  • "the memorable opening bars of Beethoven's Fifth"
  • "the play's opening scene"

Synonyms

afford, chess opening, curtain raising, first step, gap, give, hatchway, initiative, open, open up, opening move, opening night, orifice, porta, possibility, possible action, scuttle, spread, spread out, unfold