synthesis

noun

syn·​the·​sis ˈsin(t)-thə-səs 

plural syntheses ˈsin(t)-thə-ˌsēz 

1

a

: the composition or combination of parts or elements so as to form a whole

b

: the production of a substance by the union of chemical elements, groups, or simpler compounds or by the degradation of a complex compound

c

: the combining of often diverse conceptions into a coherent whole

also : the complex so formed

2

a

: deductive reasoning

b

: the dialectic combination of thesis and antithesis into a higher stage of truth

3

: the frequent and systematic use of inflected forms as a characteristic device of a language

synthesist

ˈsin(t)-thə-sist 

noun

Synonyms

• mixture
• amalgamation
• blend
• mix
• amalgam
• alloy
• combination
• fusion

Examples of synthesis in a Sentence

a philosophy that is a kind of synthesis of several schools of Western and Eastern thought

Recent Examples on the Web

Every incremental advance in writing technology will accelerate progress across the entire spectrum of life science, from agriculture to pharmaceuticals, and from materials science to planetary defense; DNA synthesis is, after all, the foundational tool for engineering biology and biomanufacturing. —Big Think, 20 Oct. 2025

His lab is focused on improving the chemical synthesis of mirror proteins, a process which is currently very inefficient. —Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2025

Still, even with these limitations in mind, Live Translation could have provided an impressive synthesis of AI software with existing hardware, a sort of science-fiction dream. —Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 16 Oct. 2025

Hullar will be remembered in the biochemistry field for his 1966 discovery of a chemical reaction known as the Hanessian-Hullar reaction, which has since become foundational in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals and antibiotics. —Cathie Anderson, Sacbee.com, 10 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Greek, from syntithenai to put together, from syn- + tithenai to put, place — more at do

First Known Use

1589, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing synthesis

• synthesis gas

Rhymes for synthesis

• synthesise
• biosynthesis
• photosynthesis
• nucleosynthesis

Kids Definition

synthesis

noun

syn·​the·​sis ˈsin(t)-thə-səs 

plural syntheses -thə-ˌsēz 

1

: the combination of parts or elements so as to form a whole

especially : the production of a substance by union of chemically simpler substances

2

a

: the combining of often very different ideas into an ordered whole

b

: the product so formed

Medical Definition

synthesis

noun

syn·​the·​sis ˈsin(t)-thə-səs 

plural syntheses -ˌsēz 

1

: the composition or combination of parts or elements so as to form a whole

2

: the production of a substance by the union of chemical elements, groups, or simpler compounds or by the degradation of a complex compound

protein synthesis