Orchestra

Pronunciation

Origin

From Latin < Ancient Greek ὀρχήστρα < ὀρχοῦμαι (orchoumai, "to dance") (an intensification of ἔρχομαι ("to go, come"), from Proto-Indo-European *ergh- ("to set in motion, stir up, raise")) + suffix *-tra denoting "place".

Noun

1. (music) 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.
2. A semicircular space in front of the stage used by the chorus in Ancient Greek and Hellenistic theatres.
3. 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.

Derived terms

• orchestral
• (orchestra types) chamber orchestra, orchestra in residence, philharmonic orchestra, string orchestra, symphony orchestra

Derived terms

• orchestrate, orchestration
• orchestrina, orchestrion

Usage notes

In British English, "The orchestra are tuning up" is often used, implying the individual members. In the US, one would almost always hear "The orchestra is tuning up", implying a collective.

Anagrams

• carthorse