orchestrate

1 of 2

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

orchestrator

2 of 2

noun

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

Verb

Is the integration management office strategically empowered with the authority, accountability and federated PMO ecosystem needed to orchestrate people, partners and workstreams across both entities through go-live? — Tipu Usha Vaithee Swaran, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 2026

Bonny orchestrates a one-car parade for Cooper that’s half return of the prodigal, half humiliation ritual. — Ryan Chapman, Literary Hub, 30 Sep. 2026

The move is the latest in a long line of spinoffs orchestrated by the Dolan family. — Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 30 Sep. 2026

The challenge lay in orchestrating these systems simultaneously. — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1858, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for orchestrate

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

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