opening

an open or empty space in or between things

• “there was a small opening between the trees”
• “the explosion made a gap in the wall”

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

• “bankruptcy is always a possibility”

an aperture or hole opening into a bodily cavity

• “the orifice into the aorta from the lower left chamber of the heart”

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

the first of a series of actions

• “he memorized all the important chess openings”

first or beginning

• “the memorable opening bars of Beethoven”
• “;”
• “s opening scene”