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

• curtain-raiser
• preamble
• preliminary
• prelude
• prologue
• prolog
• warm-up

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

Rema and Tems are both (deservingly) nominated in Best Global Music Album, despite making overtures toward pop, R&B, and hip-hop — raising questions as to why Tyla couldn’t have been slotted there too. —Justin Curto, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2024

Any credible overture must be taken seriously, whether from an activist investor seeking changes in strategy or from a potential acquirer seeking full control. —Jeff Jacobs, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024

Major tech executives are making overtures to Trump in the final days of a presidential contest that some are betting the former president will win. —Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 30 Oct. 2024

Bottom as represented in Mendelssohn’s overture is jaguar-like. —Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2024

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

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