1
a
: a theatrical art form using dancing, music, and scenery to convey a story, theme, or atmosphere
b
: dancing in which conventional poses and steps are combined with light flowing figures (such as leaps and turns)
2
: music for a ballet
3
: a group that performs ballets
4
: something likened to a ballet especially in complexity and precision of movement
Where else can you peek into the kitchen and see a quiet ballet of cooks, their entire attention focused on feeding a mere 65 people?—
Ruth Reichl
Ruth ReichlRather, it is people and the daily ballet of urban life that make a city.—Steven Earnest et al.
Steven Earnest et al.Examples of ballet in a Sentence
She does tap dancing and ballet.
We are going to a ballet tonight.
This is one of my favorite ballets.
Recent Examples on the Web
Team it with ballet flats or sneakers for a casual day of apple-picking or tailgating this season, or dress it up with tights and boots for holiday celebrations and other special occasions.
—Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
Former ballet dancer Lauren Arps has just opened Graceful Strength Studio at Via Panfilo Castaldi 20, nestled in the trendy Porta Venezia area and not far from the busy shopping avenue Corso Buenos Aires.
—Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2025
Since the pioneering French electronic duo announced their split in 2021, Bangalter has scored several projects, including a French ballet and a comedy film inspired by Salvador Dalí.
—Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 26 Oct. 2025
Young June made her stage debut at 8, dancing in a children's ballet at the Metropolitan Opera House.
—NPR, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ballet
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Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
Former ballet dancer Lauren Arps has just opened Graceful Strength Studio at Via Panfilo Castaldi 20, nestled in the trendy Porta Venezia area and not far from the busy shopping avenue Corso Buenos Aires.
—Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2025
Since the pioneering French electronic duo announced their split in 2021, Bangalter has scored several projects, including a French ballet and a comedy film inspired by Salvador Dalí.
—Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 26 Oct. 2025
Young June made her stage debut at 8, dancing in a children's ballet at the Metropolitan Opera House.
—NPR, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ballet
Cite this Entry
“Ballet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ballet. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ballet
noun
bal·let
ˈbal-ā 
ba-ˈlā
1
a
: an art form that uses dancing to tell a story or express a theme
b
: dancing in which poses and steps are combined with leaps and turns
2
: a group that performs ballets
Etymology
from French ballet "ballet," derived from Italian ballare "to dance," from Latin ballare "to dance" — related to ball entry 3
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