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 overtures have created new alliances on Capitol Hill. O’Brien, working with Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), encouraged Trump to nominate Lori Chavez-DeRemer, a pro-union Republican, for labor secretary. —David Sivak, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 6 Feb. 2025

The Iranians, too, seem to be open to another diplomatic overture. —Kristan Hawkins, Newsweek, 6 Feb. 2025

Granting in-state tuition discounts to undocumented students was an overture to Hispanic voters during a moment when Republican politicians were beginning to pay more attention to the influence of Latino voters at the ballot box in what was still a swing state with razor-thin margins. —Alexandra Glorioso, Miami Herald, 29 Jan. 2025

As warming temperatures have been melting the Arctic, thus creating a shorter route from northern Europe to Asia than the Suez Canal route, China has also made economic overtures toward Greenland. —John Cassidy, The New Yorker, 13 Jan. 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

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