<p><strong>Noun</strong></p><ul><li>an act or instance of making or becoming open: The opening of the tomb gathered much publicity.</li><li>the act of a person or thing that opens: Her opening of the ceremony was brilliantly handled.</li><li>an unobstructed or unoccupied space or place: That narrow opening between buildings is a good place to shelter from the rain.</li><li>a void in solid matter; a gap, hole, or aperture: There was a little opening in the door they used as a peephole.</li><li>a tract of land thinly wooded as compared with adjoining forest tracts.</li><li>the act of beginning; start; commencement: Tomorrow is the opening of a new session of Congress.</li><li>the first part or initial stage of anything: During the opening, the store had extra late hours.</li><li>an employment vacancy; an unfilled position or job: There are no openings for waitstaff at the moment.</li><li>an opportunity; chance.</li><li>a formal or official beginning, as of a sport season or a season's sale of goods: Today marks the opening of the deer-hunting season.</li><li>the first performance of a theatrical production.</li><li>the first public showing or use of something: It's rare for there to be so many journalists at the opening of an art exhibition.</li><li>a celebration of the first public showing or performance or of the first use or start of something: The new supermarket is going to give away prizes at its opening.</li><li>Law: the statement of the case made by counsel to the court or jury preliminary to adducing evidence.</li><li>a mode of beginning a game: a manual of chess openings.</li></ul><p><strong>Adjective</strong></p><ul><li>first, inaugural, commencing, or beginning: The opening chapter of the book caught my attention immediately.</li></ul>