classical dance

Classical dance refers to formalized dance traditions with codified techniques, vocabularies, and aesthetic principles developed over centuries.

The term most often means ballet in Western contexts, but equally applies to traditional forms like Indian Bharatanatyam or Javanese court dance.

Classical dance emphasizes precision, discipline, and adherence to established forms: She trained in classical dance before moving to contemporary.

The adjective distinguishes these traditions from folk, social, or modern dance styles.