overture

1 of 2

noun

over·​ture ˈō-vər-ˌchu̇r 

ˈō-və-,

-chər,

-ˌtyu̇r,

-ˌtu̇r

1

a

: an initiative toward agreement or action : proposal

b

: something introductory : prelude

2

a

: the orchestral introduction to a musical dramatic work

b

: an orchestral concert piece written especially as a single movement in sonata form

overture

2 of 2

verb

overtured; overturing

transitive verb

1

: to put forward as an overture

2

: to make or present an overture to

Synonyms

Noun

• prelude

Examples of overture in a Sentence

Noun

The government has made a significant peace overture by opening the door to negotiation.

the parade down Main Street served as the overture for a weekend of fun and festivities

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Lee has made peace overtures since taking office in June, saying dialog with Pyongyang was necessary, and has proposed steps to build confidence and eventually end the North’s nuclear program. —Reuters, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2025

The diplomatic overtures from Washington were therefore especially welcome. —Thomas De Waal, Foreign Affairs, 22 Sep. 2025

There’s the fact that Simone betrayed her by accepting Peter’s overtures, and therefore treated Michaela in the same dismissive way that Michaela once treated Peter’s first wife. —Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2025

Needless to say, progressive Democrats did not respond to those companies’ overtures by abandoning Trader Joe’s and prosecco to guzzle Buds at Wally World. —Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, literally, opening, from Anglo-French, from Vulgar Latin *opertura, alteration of Latin apertura — more at aperture

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1655, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for overture

• coverture

Kids Definition

overture

noun

over·​ture

ˈō-və(r)-ˌchu̇(ə)r,

-chər

1

: an opening offer : proposal

the enemy made overtures for peace

2

a

: a musical composition played by the orchestra as the introduction to an opera or musical play

b

: a piece of music in the style of an overture for concert performance