From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishorchestraor‧ches‧tra /ˈɔːkəstrə $ ˈɔːr-/ ●●○ noun 1 [countable]APM a large group of musicians playing many different kinds of instruments and led by a conductor the Berlin Symphony Orchestra the school orchestra2 → orchestra section/seatsGRAMMAR: Singular or plural verb?• Orchestra is usually followed by a singular verb: The orchestra was rehearsing for a concert.• In British English, you can also use a plural verb: The orchestra were rehearsing for a concert.THESAURUSparts of an orchestrathe wind/woodwind section the instruments such as flutes, clarinets, and saxophonesthe strings/the string section the instruments that have strings, for example violinsthe brass/the brass section the instruments made of metal that you blow through, for example trumpetsthe percussion/the percussion section the instruments such as drums and tambourines
Examples from the Corpus
orchestra• When choosing an editor, chose an orchestra leader-an expert to help you create harmony from content and style.• A constant clash and tinkle came from the kitchens across the courtyard, like the percussion section of an orchestra from hell.• It is true that there are two solo players and equally true that Mackey matches them to a 15-member chamber orchestra.• The story lacks tension and, when the full orchestra is blasting, is hard to follow.• As at Side, though, the horseshoe orchestra form has been preserved.• I must say, the orchestra on this occasion was marvellous.• Take the orchestra out of the pit, and unless you emasculate their contribution, the problem is compounded.Origin orchestra (1600-1700) Latin Greek, from orcheisthai “to dance” 