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

An Atlanta man will spend more than ten years in federal prison for orchestrating a scheme to steal over $3 million in fraudulent pandemic loans. — Cbs News Atlanta Digital Team, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026

The book opens with the suicide of a wealthy Munich businessman named Dieter Frisch near Vienna, leading to flashbacks of a revenge plot orchestrated through the game of chess. — Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 22 Oct. 2026

Brilliantly orchestrated and filmed, the scene also provides the opportunity for many of the film’s supporting players to have their moments in the spotlight when Matt assumes their identities. — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2026

Clairmont, Byron’s mistress and mother of his unborn child, had orchestrated the introduction between Byron and the group. — Maria Papadouris, JSTOR Daily, 20 Oct. 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