Italian overture

noun

: an overture in three movements to an 18th-century Italian opera or oratorio

The Italian overture was to endure in popularity until the end of the eighteenth century and be paramount in the development of the classical symphony.

—Jean Grundy Fanelli, Opera for Everyone, 2004

called also sinfonia

Word History

First Known Use

1779, in the meaning defined above

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

• More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
• Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
• Advanced search features
• Ad free!