or·ches·trate
ˈȯr-kə-ˌstrāt 
orchestrated; orchestrating
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
or·ches·tra·tor
variants
or less commonly orchestrater
ˈ⸗⸗ˌstrātə(r)
-ātə-
plural -s
: a person that arranges music for orchestral use or provides with orchestration
Examples of orchestrate in a Sentence
Verb
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
Cnn Staff, CNN Money, 29 May 2026
Shortly after liberals and conservatives announced a reconciliation, the colonel orchestrated a new armed uprising, resuming the war.
—Roberto Andrés, The Dial, 28 May 2026
Then, at around the same time the Rays were orchestrating a late-inning comeback at Tropicana Field the same day, Hillsborough College’s Board of Trustees approved a ground lease with the baseball team during a special meeting.
—Nicolas Villamil, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 May 2026
Optical interferometers were invented more than a century ago, but orchestrating and combining signals from multiple telescopes across long baselines has proved much harder to accomplish with visible light compared to the relative ease of working in radio waves.
—K. R. Callaway, Scientific American, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for orchestrate
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Verb
By activating its regional proxy, the Houthis in Yemen, Iran could orchestrate the closure of the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, blocking another vital artery connecting major trade routes between Europe, Asia and the Arab world.
—Cnn Staff, CNN Money, 29 May 2026
Shortly after liberals and conservatives announced a reconciliation, the colonel orchestrated a new armed uprising, resuming the war.
—Roberto Andrés, The Dial, 28 May 2026
Then, at around the same time the Rays were orchestrating a late-inning comeback at Tropicana Field the same day, Hillsborough College’s Board of Trustees approved a ground lease with the baseball team during a special meeting.
—Nicolas Villamil, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 May 2026
Optical interferometers were invented more than a century ago, but orchestrating and combining signals from multiple telescopes across long baselines has proved much harder to accomplish with visible light compared to the relative ease of working in radio waves.
—K. R. Callaway, Scientific American, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for orchestrate
Cite this Entry
“Orchestrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/orchestrate. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
noun
ˌȯr-kə-ˈstrā-shən
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