Orchestra Meaning
/ˈɔː.kɪs.tɹə/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounA large group of musicians who play together on various instruments, usually including some from strings, woodwind, brass and/or percussion; the instruments played by such a group.
nounA semicircular space in front of the stage used by the chorus in Ancient Greek and Hellenistic theatres.
Sentence Examples
The orchestra makes discordant noises when tuning up.
The orchestra struck up nostalgic music.
She plays the flute in the school orchestra.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The symphony hall was filled with the sound of the ____ performing Beethoven.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The ____ performed Beethoven's Fifth Symphony to a sold-out audience at the concert hall.
Word Origin & History
Borrowed from Latin orchēstra, borrowed from Ancient Greek ὀρχήστρα (orkhḗstra), from ὀρχέομαι (orkhéomai, “to dance”) + -τρᾰ (-tră, “a suffix used to form instrument nouns (pl.)”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"It requires quite an orchestra to get a train to start; the guard blows his horn, the stationmaster rings a large bell, and the engine whistles."
— 1941 February, Voyageur, “The Railways of Greece”, in Railway Magazine, page 67:
"Musicians play their instruments. I play the orchestra."
— 2015, Aaron Sorkin, Walter Isaacson, Steve Jobs, spoken by Steve Jobs (Michael Fassbender):
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CEFR Practice Quiz
The symphony hall was filled with the sound of the ____ performing Beethoven.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The ____ performed Beethoven's Fifth Symphony to a sold-out audience at the concert hall.