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

There are few individual plays in Oracle Park’s two-and-a-half-decade history that exist in the same stratosphere of what Bailey orchestrated on Tuesday night. —Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 9 July 2025

Rustin also played a pivotal role behind the scenes, mentoring King and orchestrating the Montgomery bus boycott. —Jaylen Green, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2025

Govoni resigned from the center in 2009 but then orchestrated a $100 million loan from the nonprofit to his Boston Finance Group company. —Christopher O'Donnell, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 July 2025

Despite Trump peddling a conspiracy theory that Biden orchestrated the charges against him, the federal government was not involved in the New York case that led to a conviction. —Meredith Kile, People.com, 2 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1858, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for orchestrate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• adsorbate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate

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