op·era
ˈä-p(ə-)rə 
Southern also ˈä-prē
1
: a drama set to music and made up of vocal pieces with orchestral accompaniment and orchestral overtures (see overture entry 1 sense 2) and interludes (see interlude sense 2)
2
: the score (see score entry 1 sense 6) of a musical drama
The composer finished the opera in just six weeks.
3
: the performance of an opera
The opera was delayed a half hour due to technical difficulties.
also
: a house where operas are performed
We'll meet you at the opera at 7 p.m.
Examples of opera in a Sentence
Noun
I am going to an opera tonight.
Recent Examples on the Web
Literary Hub, 15 Aug. 2025
His film work began with a series of videos commissioned for a 2020 production of Philip Glass' opera Les Enfants Terribles and continued with the short film The Sheep and the Wolf.
Anemone will receive a limited theatrical release on Oct. 3 before expanding nationwide on Oct. 10.
—Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 12 Aug. 2025
Bard has about 13 operas in full production that are not in the normal opera repertory of any American company.
—Shira Li Bartov, Sun Sentinel, 8 Aug. 2025
America's Got Talent contestant Avalon Penrose, who introduced herself as someone who sang opera in her childhood, brought chaos — and fun — to the stage.
—Raechal Shewfelt, EW.com, 6 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for opera
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Noun
In those days, Inigo and I would spend long hours, too, holed up in my student digs or in Inigo’s room at GRS discussing art and books, film and theatre, politics, even opera.
—Literary Hub, 15 Aug. 2025
His film work began with a series of videos commissioned for a 2020 production of Philip Glass' opera Les Enfants Terribles and continued with the short film The Sheep and the Wolf.
Anemone will receive a limited theatrical release on Oct. 3 before expanding nationwide on Oct. 10.
—Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 12 Aug. 2025
Bard has about 13 operas in full production that are not in the normal opera repertory of any American company.
—Shira Li Bartov, Sun Sentinel, 8 Aug. 2025
America's Got Talent contestant Avalon Penrose, who introduced herself as someone who sang opera in her childhood, brought chaos — and fun — to the stage.
—Raechal Shewfelt, EW.com, 6 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for opera
Cite this Entry
“Opera.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/opera. Accessed 23 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
opera
1 of 2plural of opus
opera
2 of 2 noun
op·era
ˈäp-(ə-)rə
1
: a play in which usually the entire text is sung with orchestral accompaniment
2
: the performance of an opera
operatic
adjective
ˌäp-ə-ˈrat-ik
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