a ceremony accompanying the start of some enterprise
"The mayor attended the opening of the new library yesterday to cut the ribbon and wish everyone luck."
the first performance (as of a theatrical production)
"the opening received good critical reviews"
opportunity especially for employment or promotion
"there is an opening in the sales department"
a vacant or unobstructed space that is man-made
"they left a small opening for the cat at the bottom of the door"
a recognized sequence of moves at the beginning of a game of chess
"he memorized all the important chess openings"
the first of a series of actions
"After months of planning, we finally began our renovation project with the opening demolition of the old kitchen wall."
An act or instance of making or becoming open.
"After months of negotiations, the CEO finally gave the opening for new employees to submit their resumes next week."
In plain English: An opening is a gap or hole that lets something pass through.
"The opening of the new museum attracted thousands of visitors on its first day."
Usage: Use "opening" to describe the specific moment something becomes accessible or starts, such as an event beginning or a job vacancy appearing. Avoid confusing it with "opening" as a verb phrase when you simply need the noun for that initial state or action.
present participle of open
"The opening curtains let a warm breeze fill the room."
In plain English: To open something means to make it go from being closed or shut to being able to be entered or used.
"The morning paper arrived with its front page opening wide to reveal the latest news."
Usage: Use opening as a verb when describing something that is in the process of being unlocked or revealed, such as an envelope that is currently being opened. Do not use it to describe the act of starting a meeting or event, which requires using start or begin instead.
first or beginning
"the memorable opening bars of Beethoven's Fifth"
"the play's opening scene"
Pertaining to the start or beginning of a series of events.
"The team felt nervous about the opening match against their biggest rival."
In plain English: Opening means something that is not yet closed or shut.
"The opening scene of the movie was very exciting."
Usage: Use "opening" as an adjective to describe something related to the start or initial phase of an event, such as an opening ceremony or opening round. Do not use it to mean "open" in the sense of unlocked or accessible; instead, choose words like "unlocked," "available," or "free."
The word "opening" comes from Middle English forms derived from Old English and Proto-Germanic roots meaning "to open." It entered the language as a present participle describing the act of making something accessible or no longer closed.