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
JSTOR Daily, 20 Feb. 2025
In recent seasons, the Met has become interested in American operas, but only those written by living composers.
—Joshua Barone, New York Times, 17 Feb. 2025
Her story has been told and retold in film, TV, onstage, even in opera.
—Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 16 Feb. 2025
Some of her most memorable events have included a secret reception venue, a late-night yacht party in the harbor, an extravagant mountainside 12-course meal served alfresco under the stars, and a masquerade ball complete with stilt walkers and opera singers.
—Vogue, 13 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for opera
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
Marian Anderson Photo Archives The African American opera singer made history with a stirring concert at the Lincoln Memorial.
—JSTOR Daily, 20 Feb. 2025
In recent seasons, the Met has become interested in American operas, but only those written by living composers.
—Joshua Barone, New York Times, 17 Feb. 2025
Her story has been told and retold in film, TV, onstage, even in opera.
—Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 16 Feb. 2025
Some of her most memorable events have included a secret reception venue, a late-night yacht party in the harbor, an extravagant mountainside 12-course meal served alfresco under the stars, and a masquerade ball complete with stilt walkers and opera singers.
—Vogue, 13 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for opera
Articles Related to opera
Cite this Entry
“Opera.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/opera. Accessed 4 Mar. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share