corps de ballet

noun

corps de bal·let ˌkȯr-də-(ˌ)ba-ˈlā

plural corps de ballet ˌkȯr-də-(ˌ)ba-ˈlā

or ˌkȯrz-də-

: the ensemble of a ballet company

Examples of corps de ballet in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Toward the end, the watery corps de ballet bows to the four corners of the world, and one of the wave-men finally lays poor Ferri down on her back and slips into the receding sea, as the lights dim. —

Jennifer Homans, The New Yorker, 15 July 2024 Justin Peck, a dancer in the NYCB's corps de ballet, is an up-and-coming choreographer tasked with crafting a new ballet for the company. —

EW.com, 21 May 2024 The corps de ballet is another anchor as couples move in unison turns, dip their torsos forward or take steps on their heels. —

Gia Kourlas, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2024 The latter was performed by Sasha de Sola and Isaac Hernández, Rojo’s husband, who recently returned to the company as a principal dancer after getting his start there in the corps de ballet in 2008. —

Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 26 Jan. 2024 See all Example Sentences for corps de ballet

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'corps de ballet.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French

First Known Use

1818, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of corps de ballet was in 1818

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Corps de ballet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/corps%20de%20ballet. Accessed 1 Nov. 2024.

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