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.
During the birthday celebrations for the Grand Queen Dowager Inju (Seo Yi-sook), Lee Heon’s paternal grandmother, Jesan orchestrates the arrival of evidence regarding the truth behind Heon’s mother’s death. Kayti Burt, Time, 29 Sep. 2025 The Cowboys retook the lead with a field goal in overtime, but there was more drama to come as Jordan Love, who threw 31-of-43 for 337 yards and three touchdowns on the night, orchestrated one final drive in search of the winning touchdown. George Ramsay, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025 Gardner orchestrates the scene; placing the girl in the center, then asking her, or perhaps even demonstrating, how to wrap the blanket around her body so her hands are concealed. Literary Hub, 29 Sep. 2025 Although the incidents were, on paper, entirely separate, Skeet and his allies believed they were linked and evidence of a conspiracy, orchestrated by Brandon and his allies, to remove them from power in the county. Mitch Moxley, Rolling Stone, 27 Sep. 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Orchestrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/orchestrate. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on orchestrate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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