Noun

(en noun)

A device that opens something; specifically a tin-opener/can-opener, or a bottle opener.

(card games) The player who starts the betting.

(card games) (in plural openers ) Cards of sufficient value to enable a player to open the betting.

(theater) The first act in a variety show.

(Islam) Fatiha

(cricket) A batsman who normally plays in the first two positions of an innings.

(colloquial) The first in a series of events, items etc.; the first remark or sentence of a conversation.

(sports) The first game played in a competition

* {{quote-news

, year=2011 , date=Septembe 24 , author=Ben Dirs , title=Rugby World Cup 2011: England 67-3 Romania , work=BBC Sport citation , page= , passage=England were on the scoreboard after only one minute, Wilkinson, who missed five penalties in his side's opener against the Pumas, knocking over a three-pointer from bang in front, despite boos from the crowd.}}

(sports) The first goal or point scored.

* {{quote-news

, year=2011 , date=January 15 , author=Saj Chowdhury , title=Man City 4 - 3 Wolves , work=BBC citation , page= , passage=The opener came from a Jarvis ball which struck Aleksandar Kolarov en route to a lively round of pinball between City players before it was poked in by Milijas.}}

Noun

(en noun)

An act or instance of making or becoming open.

The daily openings of the day lily bloom gives it its name.

He remembered fondly the Christmas morning opening of presents.

Something that is open.

A salamander darted out of an opening in the rocks.

He slipped through an opening in the crowd.

An act or instance of beginning.

There have been few factory and store openings in the US lately.

Their opening of the concert with ''Brass in Pocket'' always fires up the crowd.

Something that is a beginning.

# The first performance of a show or play by a particular troupe.

They were disappointed at the turnout for their opening , but hoped that word would spread.

# The initial period a show at an art gallery or museum is first opened, especially the first evening.

# The first few measures of a musical composition.

# (chess) The first few moves in a game of chess.

John spends two hours a day studying openings , and another two hours studying endgames.

A vacant position, especially in an array.

Are there likely to be any openings on the Supreme Court in the next four years?

# A time available in a schedule.

If you'd like to make a booking with us, we have an opening at twelve o'clock.

The only two-hour openings for the hockey rink are between 1AM and 5AM.

# An unoccupied employment position.

We have an opening in our marketing department.

An opportunity, as in a competitive activity.

* {{quote-news

, year=2010 , date=December 29 , author=Sam Sheringham , title=Liverpool 0 - 1 Wolverhampton , work=BBC citation , page= , passage=The Reds carved the first opening of the second period as Glen Johnson's pull-back found David Ngog but the Frenchman hooked wide from six yards. }}