Definition of orchestra Orchestra

/ɔˈɹkʌstɹʌ/ - [orkustru] - or•ches•tra

We found 15 definitions of orchestra from 7 different sources.

What does orchestra mean?

WordNet

Noun Plural: orchestras
orchestra - a musical organization consisting of a group of instrumentalists including string players
		musical group, musical organisation, musical organization an organization of musicians who perform together
		section one of several parts or pieces that fit with others to constitute a whole object; "a section of a fishing rod"; "metal sections were used below ground"; "finished the final segment of the road"
		chamber orchestra small orchestra; usually plays classical music
		string orchestra an orchestra playing only stringed instruments
orchestra - seating on the main floor in a theater
		seating area, seating room, seats, seating the service of ushering people to their seats

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Wiktionary

orchestra (Noun)
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.
orchestra (Noun)
A semicircular space in front of the stage used by the chorus in Ancient Greek and Hellenistic theatres.
orchestra (Noun)
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.

Webster DictionaryWebster's Unabridged Dictionary 📘

orchestra (n.)
The space in a theater between the stage and the audience; -- originally appropriated by the Greeks to the chorus and its evolutions, afterward by the Romans to persons of distinction, and by the moderns to a band of instrumental musicians.
orchestra (n.)
The place in any public hall appropriated to a band of instrumental musicians.
orchestra (n.)
Loosely: A band of instrumental musicians performing in a theater, concert hall, or other place of public amusement.
orchestra (n.)
Strictly: A band suitable for the performance of symphonies, overtures, etc., as well as for the accompaniment of operas, oratorios, cantatas, masses, and the like, or of vocal and instrumental solos.
orchestra (n.)
A band composed, for the largest part, of players of the various viol instruments, many of each kind, together with a proper complement of wind instruments of wood and brass; -- as distinguished from a military or street band of players on wind instruments, and from an assemblage of solo players for the rendering of concerted pieces, such as septets, octets, and the like.
orchestra (n.)
The instruments employed by a full band, collectively; as, an orchestra of forty stringed instruments, with proper complement of wind instruments.

OmegaWiki DictionaryOmegaWiki Dictionary Ω

orchestra
A large group of musicians who play together on various instruments.

Chambers DictionaryChamber's 20th Century Dictionary 📕

orchestra
or′kes-tra, n. in the Greek theatre, the place where the chorus danced: now the part of a theatre or concert-room in which the musicians are placed: the performers in an orchestra.—ns. Orchē′sis, the art of dancing or rhythmical movement of the body; Orchesog′raphy, the theory of dancing.—adjs. Or′chestral, Orches′tric, of or pertaining to an orchestra: performed in an orchestra.—v.t. Or′chestrāte, to arrange for an orchestra.—ns. Orchestrā′tion, the arrangement of music for an orchestra: instrumentation; Orches′trion, a musical instrument of the barrel-organ kind, designed to imitate an orchestra. [L.,—Gr. orchēstra—orchesthai, to dance.]

Wikipedia

An orchestra is a group of musicians playing instruments together. They usually play classical music. A large orchestra is sometimes called a "symphony orchestra" and a small orchestra is called a "chamber orchestra". A symphony orchestra may have about 100 players, while a chamber orchestra may have 30 or 40 players. The number of players will depend on what music they are playing and the size of the place where they are playing.

The conductor.

The orchestra is directed by a conductor. He helps the players to play together, to get the right balance so that everything can be heard clearly, and to encourage the orchestra to play with the same kind of feeling. Some small chamber orchestras may play without a conductor. This was usual until the 19th century and works well for older music from that time.

The instruments.

The instruments of the orchestra are divided into families: the strings, woodwind, brass and percussion. Each section (group of instruments) will have a player who is the "section principal". If the music says "solo" in their part it is the principal who will play the solo. The principals will make decisions about seating arrangements, and about technical ways of playing the music: for example the principal of the string sections will make sure all the players move their bows up and down in the same direction. The violins are divided into first and second violins. The principal of the first violins is the leader (or concertmaster) of the orchestra. In a professio