orchestra

CEFRB1

/ˈɔː.kɪs.tɹə/

noun

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    noun

    A large group of musicians who play instruments together.

  2. 02

    noun

    Extra detail

    A semicircular space in front of the stage used by the chorus in Ancient Greek and Hellenistic theatres.

Examples

  • She plays the flute in the school orchestra.

  • The orchestra makes discordant noises when tuning up.

At a glance

Sits at B1 on the CEFR scale

Senses
4
Parts of speech
1
Citations
2

Also pronounced

  • [ˈoɹkɛstɹə]
  • /ˈoɹ.kɪs.tɹə/

Deep Dive

noun

Extra meanings

  1. The area in a theatre or concert hall where the musicians sit, immediately in front of and below the stage, sometimes (also) used by other performers.

  2. A 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.

More examples

In context

  • The orchestra struck up nostalgic music.

  • The orchestra plays music for the dancers to dance to in the 19th century-styled dance hall.

  • Musicians play their instruments. I play the orchestra.

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

The symphony hall was filled with the sound of the blank performing Beethoven.

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Nearby

Origin

noun

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.)”).