choreography

noun

cho·​re·​og·​ra·​phy ˌkȯr-ē-ˈä-grə-fē 

plural choreographies

1

: the art of symbolically representing dancing

2

a

: the composition and arrangement of dances especially for ballet

b

: a composition created by this art

3

: something resembling choreography

a snail-paced choreography of delicate high diplomacy

—Wolfgang Saxon

choreographic

ˌkȯr-ē-ə-ˈgra-fik 

adjective

choreographically

ˌkȯr-ē-ə-ˈgra-fi-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Did you know?

In ancient Greece, a choreia was a circular dance accompanied by a singing chorus. But the actual notating of dances by means of symbols didn't begin until the 17th or 18th century, when ballet developed into a complex art form in France. The choreographer of a major ballet, which might run to an hour or more, will always record his or her work in notation, though choreographing a five-minute segment for a TV talent show usually doesn't require any record at all.

Examples of choreography in a Sentence

He has an interest in choreography.

a show with excellent choreography

Recent Examples on the Web

This set piece, based on the real-life Mountain Meadows Massacre, is presented as one unbroken take that immerses the viewer in the point of view of a single mother and her young son; the choreography is as elaborate and elegant as the action is blunt and forceful. —Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 10 Jan. 2025

The elaborate choreography and colorful vision match Vincente Minnelli’s style but underneath carry a delirious energy equal to Ken Russell’s maddest visions of neurotic excess. —Armond White, National Review, 10 Jan. 2025

Set in an industrial warehouse in London, the campaign brings attention to sculptural movement via exploratory and fluid choreography. —Essence, 10 Jan. 2025

Have a marathon and admire the incredible stunt choreography and charismatic leading man work from Keanu Reeves. —Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 6 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French chorégraphie, from Greek choreia + French -graphie -graphy

First Known Use

circa 1789, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

choreography

noun

cho·​re·​og·​ra·​phy ˌkōr-ē-ˈäg-rə-fē 

ˌkȯr-

: the art of arranging dances especially for ballet

choreograph

ˈkōr-ē-ə-ˌgraf

ˈkȯr-

verb

choreographer

ˌkōr-ē-ˈäg-rə-fər

ˌkȯr-

noun

choreographic

-ē-ə-ˈgraf-ik

adjective