orchestrate

verb

or·​ches·​trate ˈȯr-kə-ˌstrāt How to pronounce orchestrate (audio)
orchestrated; orchestrating

transitive verb

1
a
: to compose or arrange (music) for an orchestra
The composer orchestrated the music for the symphony orchestra.
b
: to provide with orchestration
orchestrate a ballet
2
: to arrange or combine so as to achieve a desired or maximum effect
orchestrated preparations for the banquet
a carefully orchestrated stunt
orchestrator noun
or less commonly orchestrater

Examples of orchestrate in a Sentence

He recently orchestrated a musical. She orchestrated the entire event. It's still unclear who was responsible for orchestrating the attack. A strike was orchestrated by union members.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Kim was taken into custody early Wednesday following a Seoul court's approval of a warrant accusing him of orchestrating a rebellion and abusing his authority. Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024 Billionaire David Bonderman, whose private equity firm TPG orchestrated dozens of leverage buyouts over the decades since it was founded in 1992, has died at age 82 on Wednesday, December 11. Kerry A. Dolan, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024 Amid all the uncertainty that Trump 2.0 will bring, the last thing that Putin and Xi are worried about is Washington’s ability to orchestrate a real split between their countries, despite Trump’s promise to do so on the campaign trail. Alexander Gabuev, Foreign Affairs, 6 Dec. 2024 With a deeper and more talented roster, Brunson’s primary focus has transitioned from filling the box score to orchestrating the offense. Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 5 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for orchestrate 

Word History

First Known Use

1858, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of orchestrate was in 1858

Dictionary Entries Near orchestrate

Cite this Entry

“Orchestrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/orchestrate. Accessed 24 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

orchestrate

verb
or·​ches·​trate ˈȯr-kə-ˌstrāt How to pronounce orchestrate (audio)
orchestrated; orchestrating
1
: to write or arrange music for an orchestra
2
: to arrange or combine so as to get the best effect
orchestration
ˌȯr-kə-ˈstrā-shən
noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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