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 In 2022, an otherwise forgettable season, Baker Mayfield orchestrated a stunning win over Las Vegas despite joining the Rams just a couple of days earlier. Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2024 Over the last week, the Sikh Society has orchestrated a communitywide show of support. Sakshi Venkatraman, NBC News, 24 Oct. 2024 Can Wheels Up be next in an industry that has seen scheduled and private airlines post big losses only to orchestrate equally large turnarounds - from British Airways in the 1980s to Continental Airlines in the 1990s and NetJets in the 2000s? Doug Gollan, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024 Less than four years later, Adolf Hitler became Germany’s chancellor and began orchestrating what became known as the Holocaust. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for orchestrate 

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 31 Oct. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!