overture

UK: /ˈəʊvə^rtʃʊə^r/

US: /ˈoʊvɚtʃɚ, -ˌtʃʊr/

US: (ō′vər chər, -chŏŏr′)

Inflections of 'overture' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

overtures

v 3rd person singular

overturing

v pres p

overtured

v past

overtured

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

o•ver•ture /ˈoʊvɚtʃɚ, -ˌtʃʊr/   n. [countable]

1. Often, overtures. [plural] an initial move in discussing or working on an agreement or a joint action;
   a proposal;
   offer.
2. Music and Dance a piece of music that introduces another musical work, such as an opera or musical comedy.
3. an introductory part:
   The small attacks were an overture to the full-scale assault.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

o•ver•ture  (ō′vər chər, -chŏŏr′), n., v., -tured, -tur•ing. 
n. 

1. an opening or initiating move toward negotiations, a new relationship, an agreement, etc.;
   a formal or informal proposal or offer:
   overtures of peace; a shy man who rarely made overtures of friendship.
2. Music and Dance
   • an orchestral composition forming the prelude or introduction to an opera, oratorio, etc.
   • an independent piece of similar character.
3. an introductory part, as of a poem;
   prelude;
   prologue.
4. (in Presbyterian churches)
   • Religion the action of an ecclesiastical court in submitting a question or proposal to presbyteries.
   • Religion the proposal or question so submitted.

v.t. 

5. to submit as an overture or proposal:
   to overture conditions for a ceasefire.
6. to make an overture or proposal to:
   to overture one's adversary through a neutral party.

• Old French; see overt, -ure; doublet of aperture
• Middle English 1300–50

Synonyms

• 1. See proposal. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

overture / ˈəʊvəˌtjʊə/ noun

1. a piece of orchestral music containing contrasting sections that is played at the beginning of an opera or oratorio, often containing the main musical themes of the work
2. Also called: concert overture a one-movement orchestral piece, usually having a descriptive or evocative title
3. (often plural) a proposal, act, or gesture initiating a relationship, negotiation, etc
4. something that introduces what follows

verb (transitive)

1. to make or present an overture to
2. to introduce with an overture

Etymology: 14th Century: via Old French, from Late Latin apertūra opening, from Latin aperīre to open; see overt