orchestra

/ˈɔrkɪstrə/

/ˈɔkɛstrə/

Other forms: orchestras

If you love classical music concerts led by a conductor, with a big sound and plenty of violins, you're an orchestra fan.

An orchestra features many different kinds of instruments, almost always including those with strings such as violas and cellos. Sometimes this group of musicians is called a "symphony orchestra," and it's directed by a conductor with a baton. The word orchestra comes from the actual space in which an orchestra plays; the Greek orkhestra means "a space where a chorus of dancers performs," from orkheisthai, "to dance."

Definitions of orchestra

1. noun

   a musical organization consisting of a group of instrumentalists including string players
   types:

   chamber orchestra

   small orchestra; usually plays classical music

   string orchestra

   an orchestra playing only stringed instruments

   philharmonic, symphony, symphony orchestra

   a large orchestra; can perform symphonies

   type of:

   musical group, musical organisation, musical organization

   an organization of musicians who perform together
2. noun

   seating on the main floor in a theater
   type of:

   seating, seating area, seating room, seats

   an area that includes places where several people can sit