orchestra

Meanings

1. 1
   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.

   The orchestra plays music for the dancers to dance to in the 19th century-styled dance hall.

2. 2
   noun

   seating on the main floor in a theater

3. 3
   noun

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

4. 4
   noun

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

5. 5
   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.

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin orchēstra, borrowed from Ancient Greek ὀρχήστρα (orkhḗstra), from ὀρχέομαι (orkhéomai) + -τρᾰ (-tră).