Orchestra


[awr-kuh-struh] /ˈɔr kə strə/

noun
1.
a group of performers on various musical instruments, including especially stringed instruments of the viol class, clarinets and flutes, cornets and trombones, drums, and cymbals, for playing music, as symphonies, operas, popular music, or other compositions.
2.

3.
(in the ancient Greek theater) the circular space in front of the stage, allotted to the chorus.
4.
(in the Roman theater) a similar space reserved for persons of distinction.
/ˈɔːkɪstrə/
noun
1.
a large group of musicians, esp one whose members play a variety of different instruments See also symphony orchestra, string orchestra, chamber orchestra
2.
a group of musicians, each playing the same type of instrument: a balalaika orchestra
3.
Also called orchestra pit. the space reserved for musicians in a theatre, immediately in front of or under the stage
4.
(mainly US & Canadian) the stalls in a theatre
5.
(in the ancient Greek theatre) the semicircular space in front of the stage
n.

c.1600, “area in an ancient theater for the chorus,” from Latin orchestra, from Greek orkhestra, semicircular space where the chorus of dancers performed, with suffix -tra denoting place + orkheisthai “to dance,” intensive of erkhesthai “to go, come,” from PIE *ergh- “to set in motion, stir up, raise” (cf. Sanskrit rghayati “trembles, rages, raves,” rnoti “rises, moves,” arnah “welling stream;” Old Persian rasatiy “he comes;” Greek ornynai “to rouse, start;” Latin oriri “to rise,” origo “a beginning;” Gothic rinnan, Old English irnan “to flow, run”). In ancient Rome, it referred to the place in the theater reserved for senators and other dignitaries. Meaning “group of musicians performing at a concert, opera, etc.” first recorded 1720; “part of theater in front of the stage” is from 1768.

A group of musicians who play together on a variety of instruments, which usually come from all four instrument families — brass, percussion, strings, and woodwinds. A typical symphony orchestra is made up of more than ninety musicians. Most orchestras, unlike chamber music groups, have more than one musician playing each musical part.

Read Also:

  • Orchestral

    [awr-kes-truh l] /ɔrˈkɛs trəl/ adjective 1. of, relating to, or resembling an . 2. composed for or performed by an : orchestral works. adj. 1811, from orchestra + -al (1).

  • Orchestra-pit

    [awr-kuh-struh] /ˈɔr kə strə/ noun 1. a group of performers on various musical instruments, including especially stringed instruments of the viol class, clarinets and flutes, cornets and trombones, drums, and cymbals, for playing music, as symphonies, operas, popular music, or other compositions. 2. 3. (in the ancient Greek theater) the circular space in front of […]

  • Orchestrate

    [awr-kuh-streyt] /ˈɔr kəˌstreɪt/ verb (used with or without object), orchestrated, orchestrating. 1. to compose or arrange (music) for performance by an . 2. to arrange or manipulate, especially by means of clever or thorough planning or maneuvering: to orchestrate a profitable trade agreement. /ˈɔːkɪˌstreɪt/ verb (transitive) 1. to score or arrange (a piece of music) […]

  • Orchestration

    [awr-kuh-streyt] /ˈɔr kəˌstreɪt/ verb (used with or without object), orchestrated, orchestrating. 1. to compose or arrange (music) for performance by an . 2. to arrange or manipulate, especially by means of clever or thorough planning or maneuvering: to orchestrate a profitable trade agreement. /ˈɔːkɪˌstreɪt/ verb (transitive) 1. to score or arrange (a piece of music) […]

  • Orchestrator

    [awr-kuh-streyt] /ˈɔr kəˌstreɪt/ verb (used with or without object), orchestrated, orchestrating. 1. to compose or arrange (music) for performance by an . 2. to arrange or manipulate, especially by means of clever or thorough planning or maneuvering: to orchestrate a profitable trade agreement. /ˈɔːkɪˌstreɪt/ verb (transitive) 1. to score or arrange (a piece of music) […]


Disclaimer: Orchestra definition / meaning should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. All content on this website is for informational purposes only.