orchestrate

verb

or·​ches·​trate ˈȯr-kə-ˌstrāt 

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

ˈȯr-kə-ˌstrā-tər 

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

April Fools' Day embodies the spirit of pranks, so in honor of the holiday, Valley 101 explored how a prank orchestrated by Arizona State University students went viral in 2015. —Katrina Michalak, The Arizona Republic, 1 Apr. 2024

Sperry sent out hundreds of replies, doing more to orchestrate the Republicans’ campaign than almost any other man. —Jon Grinspan, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Apr. 2024

That message is complicating plans by officials at Trump’s campaign and the Republican National Committee to orchestrate aggressive efforts in key battleground states to persuade voters to cast their ballots early and by mail. —Isaac Arnsdorf, Washington Post, 28 Mar. 2024

At this time, there was a major interest in understanding the molecules that orchestrate the development of organisms. —William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024

On March 13, CNN reported that NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers once claimed to CNN anchor Pamela Brown that Sandy Hook was orchestrated by the government. —Erin Jensen, USA TODAY, 27 Mar. 2024

Seven years on, Joo has orchestrated lofts and brownstones on the East Coast and is undertaking her first international commission, a retail project in Paris, this summer. —Rachel Gallaher, Robb Report, 23 Mar. 2024

In 2016, Dell and Durban—with Dimon’s help—orchestrated another financial feat, the $67 billion purchase of EMC and its software subsidiary VMware. —Michal Lev-Ram, Fortune, 25 Mar. 2024

General Abdel-Fattah Burhan, commander of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and General Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, head of the Rapid Support Forces paramilitary group (RSF) -- once allies who jointly orchestrated a military coup in 2021 -- are now engaged in a vicious and ongoing power struggle. —Emma Ogao, ABC News, 21 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1858, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

orchestrate

verb

or·​ches·​trate ˈȯr-kə-ˌstrāt 

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