Orchestra Definition
ôrkĭ-strə, -kĕstrə
orchestras
noun
In modern theaters, the space in front of and lower than the stage, where the musicians sit.
Webster's New World
A usually large group of musicians playing together; often, specif., symphony orchestra.
Webster's New World
The section of seats on the main floor of a theater, esp. the front section.
Webster's New World
In ancient Greek theaters, the semicircular space in front of the stage, used by the chorus.
Webster's New World
The instruments of such a group.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
- maestro
- string
- instruments
- group
- gamelan
- philharmonic
- band
- symphony
- ensemble
- chamber
- Kapelle (German)
- musical ensemble
Other Word Forms of Orchestra
Noun
Singular:
orchestra
Plural:
orchestrasOrigin of Orchestra
-
From Latin < Ancient Greek ὀρχήστρα (orchÄ“stra) < ὀρχοῦμαι (orchoumai, “to dance") (an intensification of ἔρχομαι (erkhomai, “to go, come"), from Proto-Indo-European *ergh- (“to set in motion, stir up, raise")) + suffix *-tra denoting "place".
From Wiktionary
Latin orchēstra the space in front of the stage in Greek theaters where the chorus performed from Greek orkhēstrā from orkheisthai to dance
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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