Meaning & use
orchestra
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Meanings
nouncountable
A large group of musicians who play various instruments together, usually led by a conductor.
Grammar: Use 'an orchestra' for one group; 'orchestras' for more than one.
Patterns
- a symphony orchestra
- the orchestra plays something
- play in an orchestra
She plays violin in the city orchestra.
The orchestra performed a new piece by a local composer.
He joined the orchestra after graduating from music school.
nounsingular
The area in a theater, etc., where the musicians sit, often just in front of and below the stage.
Grammar: Usually 'the orchestra' in this sense; not used with 'a'.
Patterns
- in the orchestra
- the orchestra pit
The conductor walked into the orchestra and bowed to the audience.
From our seats we could see the musicians in the orchestra.
nounsingularBritish
In some theaters, especially in Britain, the seats on the ground floor, or the people sitting there.
Grammar: Chiefly British; often 'the orchestra stalls'.
Patterns
- in the orchestra
- orchestra seats
We had seats in the orchestra, very close to the stage.
The orchestra was full for the opening night.
Word forms
| plural | orchestras |
|---|
Common combinations
- symphony orchestra
- The symphony orchestra toured Europe last summer.
- chamber orchestra
- A chamber orchestra is smaller and often plays without a conductor.
- orchestra pit
- The orchestra pit was hidden below the stage.
- conduct an orchestra
- She was invited to conduct the orchestra for one night.
- join an orchestra
- He hopes to join a professional orchestra after college.
Synonyms and how they differ
- ensemble
- A smaller group of musicians; 'orchestra' usually suggests a larger, more formal group with strings.
- band
- Often used for pop, jazz, or marching groups rather than classical orchestras.
- philharmonic
- A word used in the names of some orchestras, e.g., 'the Berlin Philharmonic'; not a general synonym.
Word family
- orchestral adjective
- Relating to an orchestra, as in 'orchestral music'.
- orchestrate verb
- To arrange music for an orchestra; also to plan something carefully.
- orchestration noun
- The act of arranging music for an orchestra, or a careful plan.
Commonly confused: orchestra or band?
orchestra vs band
A band is often a smaller group playing popular music; an orchestra is larger and usually plays classical music.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'orchestra' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'An orchestra' is correct because 'orchestra' starts with a vowel sound. 'An orchestra' is wrong because 'an' is needed before a vowel sound. 'The orchestra pit' is a different place, and 'in orchestra' is missing an article.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “orchestra”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.