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

The alignment of the ambassadors, seated to the president's far left, has been upended by Trump's determination to end the war in Ukraine, with friendly overtures to Russian President Vladimir Putin and an Oval Office brawl Friday that sent Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy packing. —Susan Page, USA TODAY, 2 Mar. 2025

This policy overture is just one in a slew of immigration crackdown policies and Executive Orders that the Trump Administration has put forth. —Rebecca Schneid, TIME, 21 Feb. 2025

There have been multiple past pathways to statehood — from the absorption of the 13 colonies under the Articles of Confederation, to Congress formally agreeing to Texas’ request to be annexed as the 28th state, but only after rejecting previous overtures from the then-republic. —Will Weissert, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2025

Split between the German overture and a takeover offer for Italian lender Banco BPM, UniCredit CEO Andrea Orcel has kept his cards close to his chest over his company’s ultimate intentions regarding Commerzbank. —Ruxandra Iordache, CNBC, 13 Feb. 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