# orchestra

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈɔːkɪstɹə/ · frequency rank #7,036

## Definitions
1. 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.
2. A semicircular space in front of the stage used by the chorus in Ancient Greek and Hellenistic theatres.
3. 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, itself a borrowing from Ancient Greek ὀρχήστρα (orkhḗstra) (a derivative of ὀρχέομαι (orkhéomai, “to dance”)).

## Easily confused with
- **orchestral** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/orchestra-vs-orchestral)
- **orchestrate** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/orchestra-vs-orchestrate)

## Common misspellings (14)
`ocrhestra`, `orcchestra`, `orcehstra`, `orchesrta`, `orchesstra`, `orchestar`, `orchestrra`, `orchesttra`, `orchetsra`, `orchhestra`, `orchsetra`, `orhcestra`, `orrchestra`, `rochestra`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/orchestra