choreography
noun
cho·re·og·ra·phy
ˌkȯr-ē-ˈä-grə-fē 
plural choreographies
1
: the art of symbolically representing dancing
2
a
: the composition and arrangement of dances especially for ballet
b
: a composition created by this art
3
: something resembling choreography
a snail-paced choreography of delicate high diplomacy—
Wolfgang Saxon
Wolfgang Saxon
Did you know?
In ancient Greece, a choreia was a circular dance accompanied by a singing chorus. But the actual notating of dances by means of symbols didn't begin until the 17th or 18th century, when ballet developed into a complex art form in France. The choreographer of a major ballet, which might run to an hour or more, will always record his or her work in notation, though choreographing a five-minute segment for a TV talent show usually doesn't require any record at all.
Examples of choreography in a Sentence
He has an interest in choreography.
a show with excellent choreography
Recent Examples on the Web
At the ground, the ultras, famous for their grandiose pre-match choreographies, did not prepare one — as many of the leaders have been arrested or placed under investigation after the Curva Nord’s infiltration by the ‘Ndrangheta, the fearsome Calabrian mafia.
—James Horncastle, New York Times, 2 June 2025
Chan has been acting since the 1960s and is a legend of fight choreography.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 31 May 2025
Backed by a live band, Jackson danced her way around the stage in a Vetements denim outfit while singing both songs, and backup dancers worked through flashy choreography nearby.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 27 May 2025
The vibrant musical, a salute to the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s and ’30s, celebrates Black excellence, creativity and joy with exuberant and passionate singing and dancing, gorgeous period costumes and ebullient choreography.
—Matthew J. Palm, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 May 2025
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James Horncastle, New York Times, 2 June 2025
Chan has been acting since the 1960s and is a legend of fight choreography.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 31 May 2025
Backed by a live band, Jackson danced her way around the stage in a Vetements denim outfit while singing both songs, and backup dancers worked through flashy choreography nearby.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 27 May 2025
The vibrant musical, a salute to the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s and ’30s, celebrates Black excellence, creativity and joy with exuberant and passionate singing and dancing, gorgeous period costumes and ebullient choreography.
—Matthew J. Palm, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for choreography
Cite this Entry
“Choreography.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/choreography. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
choreography
noun
cho·re·og·ra·phy
ˌkōr-ē-ˈäg-rə-fē
ˌkȯr-
: the art of arranging dances especially for ballet
choreograph
verb
ˈkōr-ē-ə-ˌgraf
ˈkȯr-
choreographer
noun
ˌkōr-ē-ˈäg-rə-fər
ˌkȯr-
choreographic
adjective
-ē-ə-ˈgraf-ik
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