Definition of: orchestra

(ôr′kis·trə) noun
1. A band of musicians playing together, especially a symphony orchestra; also, the instruments on which they play.
2. In theaters, the place immediately before the stage, occupied by the musicians; by extension, the main floor.
3. In the ancient Greek and Roman theaters, the approximately semicircular space from which the tiers of seats rose, in the Greek theater reserved for the chorus, and in the Roman theater reserved for the seats of the senators and other distinguished men. [<L <Gk. orchēstra, lit., a dancing space <orcheesthai dance]
—or·ches·tral (ôr·kes′trəl) adjective
—or·ches′tral·ly adverb