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 That's long been denied by Tehran but backed up by documents seized in the 2011 U.S. raid in Pakistan that killed bin Laden, who orchestrated the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the U.S. Al-Batarfi's ties to al-Adl had strained relations in AQAP, experts say. Compiled Bydemocrat-Gazette Stafffrom Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 12 Mar. 2024 By orchestrating the suit and settlement, the Jones lawsuit thereby became a mechanism to tightly and cleanly settle all claims on terms that were favorable to the city, prosecutors say. Matt Hamilton, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2024 It’s all been orchestrated by general manager and head coach Tad O’Had. Zach Welch, Kansas City Star, 4 Mar. 2024 On Saturday, armed gangs using drone technology seized control of the National Penitentiary and orchestrated the escape of hundreds of prisoners, including several notorious gang chiefs. Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 3 Mar. 2024 After Trump lost the election in 2020, Taylor said this network orchestrated campaigns to restore Trump to office, including participation in the events of Jan. 6, 2021. Odette Yousef, NPR, 27 Feb. 2024 After a stalwart career at St. Frances, a football prep school of national acclaim orchestrated by current Charlotte 49ers coach Biff Poggi, Okie embarked on what would be a tumultuous college experience. Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 29 Feb. 2024 Detectives Rea Thomas and Vikram Singh are thrust into a dark world where these bone-chilling murders are not just random acts of violence but also part of a sinister plan orchestrated by a century-old secret society. Patrick Brzeski, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Feb. 2024 Produced by Julie Plec, the thriller series followed an international arms dealer (Morena Baccarin) who orchestrated bank heists from prison and the FBI agent (Ryan Michelle Bathé) working to foil her plans. Selome Hailu, Variety, 28 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'orchestrate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 29 Mar. 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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