<p><strong>Noun</strong></p><ul><li>An extended dramatic composition, in which all parts are sung to instrumental accompaniment, that usually includes arias, choruses, and recitatives, and that sometimes includes ballet.</li><li>The form or branch of musical and dramatic art represented by such compositions.</li><li>The score or the words of such a composition.</li><li>A performance of one: to go to the opera.</li><li>(Sometimes initial capital letter) An opera house or resident company: the Paris Opera.</li></ul>