ballet

noun

bal·​let ba-ˈlā How to pronounce ballet (audio)
ˈba-ˌlā
1
a
: a theatrical art form using dancing, music, and scenery to convey a story, theme, or atmosphere
b
: dancing in which conventional poses and steps are combined with light flowing figures (such as leaps and turns)
2
: music for a ballet
3
: a group that performs ballets
4
: something likened to a ballet especially in complexity and precision of movement
Where else can you peek into the kitchen and see a quiet ballet of cooks, their entire attention focused on feeding a mere 65 people?Ruth Reichl
Rather, it is people and the daily ballet of urban life that make a city.Steven Earnest et al.
balletic adjective

Examples of ballet in a Sentence

She does tap dancing and ballet. We are going to a ballet tonight. This is one of my favorite ballets.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
As a kid, McIntire trained in ballet, participated in Scholar Bowl, and worked on robotics teams. David Hudnall, Kansas City Star, 23 June 2025 Since working in the industry, she’s tried, tested, or purchased more than a dozen pairs of shoes, including ballet flats, loafers, and Mary Janes. Alyssa Grabinski, People.com, 21 June 2025 With a lack of opportunities and an abundance of talent in the ballet world, Williams decided to create a group that performs during the off-season. Lauren Harvey, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2025 In Étoile, Glick plays choreographer Tobias Bell, transferred to Paris as part of a swap between two ballet companies in the French capital and New York. Beatrice Verhoeven, HollywoodReporter, 19 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for ballet

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French, "theatrical presentation telling a story by means of dance and mime," borrowed from Italian balletto (also "short, well-done dance, semblance of a dance done for amusement"), from ballo "dance" (noun derivative of ballare "to dance," going back to Late Latin ballāre) + -etto, diminutive suffix — more at ball entry 3

First Known Use

1608, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of ballet was in 1608

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Cite this Entry

“Ballet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ballet. Accessed 28 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

ballet

noun
bal·​let ˈbal-ā How to pronounce ballet (audio)
ba-ˈlā
1
a
: an art form that uses dancing to tell a story or express a theme
b
: dancing in which poses and steps are combined with leaps and turns
2
: a group that performs ballets
Etymology

from French ballet "ballet," derived from Italian ballare "to dance," from Latin ballare "to dance" — related to ball entry 3

More from Merriam-Webster on ballet

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