opening

 
Pronunciation: /ˈəʊp(ə)nɪŋ/

noun

  • 1a space or gap that allows passage or access: an opening in the roof would get rid of the smoke
  • 2a beginning; an initial part: Maya started tapping out the opening of her story
  • a ceremony or celebratory gathering at which a building, show, etc. is declared to be open: I covered the opening of a new computerized diagnosis unit
  • Chess a recognized sequence of moves at the beginning of a game.
  • a counsel’s preliminary statement of a case in a law court.
  • 3an opportunity to achieve something: they seem to have exploited fully the openings offered
  • an available job: there are few openings for the ex-footballer

adjective

[attributive]
  • coming at the beginning of something; initial: she stole the show with her opening remark