orchestrate

play

verb or·ches·trate \ ˈȯr-kə-ˌstrāt \

Definition of orchestrate

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

or less commonly orchestrater play \ˈȯr-kə-ˌstrā-tər\ noun

See orchestrate defined for English-language learners

See orchestrate defined for kids

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 of orchestrate from the Web

Held every 5 years, the congress often showcases orchestrated transitions in leadership posts.

— dennis normile, Science | AAAS, "Science suffers as China’s internet censors plug holes in Great Firewall," 30 Aug. 2017
The UAE was accused of orchestrating that hack; and the UAE in turn denied involvement.

— kathy gilsinan, The Atlantic, "Emirati Ambassador: Qatar Is a Destructive Force in the Region," 28 Aug. 2017
Dad had orchestrated a reunion and called it Grandchildren's Week.

— rosanne cash, Country Living, "Rosanne Cash Reflects on What June Carter Was Like as a Stepmother," 25 Aug. 2017
Tony Giorgio, the longtime leader of the New York Police Department’s Ceremonial Unit, who has orchestrated hundreds of funerals since the late 1980s, said the new group has not supplanted his unit’s mission.

— al baker, New York Times, "Born in Grief, New Group Helps Families of Slain Officers," 18 Aug. 2017
Among those working to bridge the classroom and the courtroom is Moon Duchin, a math professor at Tufts who orchestrated the gathering at her Boston-area campus.

— Washington Post, "Math experts join brainpower to help address gerrymandering," 18 Aug. 2017
Among those working to bridge the classroom and the courtroom is Moon Duchin, a math professor at Tufts who orchestrated the gathering at her Boston-area campus.

— collin binkley, The Seattle Times, "Math experts join brainpower to help address gerrymandering," 17 Aug. 2017
But in the months leading up, I'd been overwhelmed by the emotional and financial burden of orchestrating a picture-perfect wedding.

— amber rambharose, Glamour, "Why This Bride Wore No Makeup on Her Wedding Day Is Refreshingly Relatable," 11 Aug. 2017
Ganymede/Rosalind gets some of the play’s wittiest lines, developing into a Prospero-like figure who orchestrates the comedy’s various romantic pairings.

— julia m. klein, Philly.com, "A darker 'As You Like It' from the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival," 23 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'orchestrate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of orchestrate

1858

Other Music Terms

cacophony, chorister, concerto, counterpoint, madrigal, obbligato, presto, refrain, riff, segue

ORCHESTRATE Defined for English Language Learners

orchestrate

play

verb

Definition of orchestrate for English Language Learners

: to write or change (a piece of music) so that it can be played by an orchestra
: to organize or plan (something that is complicated)

Learn More about orchestrate

See words that rhyme with orchestrate Spanish Central: Translation of orchestrate Nglish: Translation of orchestrate for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of orchestrate for Arabic speakers

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orchestrate

Definition of orchestrate

orchestrator

Examples of orchestrate in a Sentence

Recent Examples of orchestrate from the Web

First Known Use of orchestrate

Other Music Terms

ORCHESTRATE Defined for English Language Learners

orchestrate

Definition of orchestrate for English Language Learners

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