improvisation

noun

im·​pro·​vi·​sa·​tion (ˌ)im-ˌprä-və-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce improvisation (audio)
ˌim-prə-və-,
 also  ˌim-prə-(ˌ)vī-
1
: the act or art of improvising
2
: something (such as a musical or dramatic composition) improvised
improvisational
(ˌ)im-ˌprä-və-ˈzā-sh(ə-)nəl How to pronounce improvisation (audio)
ˌim-prə-və-
 also  ˌim-prə-(ˌ)vī-
adjective
improvisationally adverb

Examples of improvisation in a Sentence

that comedy skit was a totally unrehearsed improvisation
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.
There’s virtually no improvisation on camera, despite the mythology. Emily Zemler, Los Angeles Times, 7 Jan. 2025 Marie-Reine, who had stayed at the Palmyra during the festival’s heyday, took my hand and walked me through the hotel of her memories, the dances in the cavernous dining hall, the all-night lyrical improvisations of the poet Talal Haidar in the courtyard. Youmna Melhem Chamieh, Harper's Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025 But the shop turned out other payloads, including thermobaric bombs, high-explosive charges for flying into bunkers and anti-personnel charges, some of which resembled the improvisations of nonstate actors. C.j. Chivers Robert Fass Krish Seenivasan Steven Szczesniak, New York Times, 31 Dec. 2024 Brown highlighted the critical role of automation and tools in reducing reliance on human improvisation during high-stress scenarios, which led him to join Cytactic’s Advisory Board. Carrie Rubinstein, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for improvisation 

Word History

First Known Use

1777, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of improvisation was in 1777

Dictionary Entries Near improvisation

Cite this Entry

“Improvisation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/improvisation. Accessed 16 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

improvisation

noun
im·​pro·​vi·​sa·​tion (ˌ)im-ˌpräv-ə-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce improvisation (audio)
ˌim-prə-və-
1
: the act or art of improvising
2
: something that is improvised
improvisational
-shnəl How to pronounce improvisation (audio)
-shən-ᵊl
adjective
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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