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orchestrate Meaning & Definition

ˈȯr-kə-ˌstrāt

What Does Orchestrate Mean?

As a verb, orchestrate means to compose or arrange (music) for an orchestra. It is also used to mean to provide with orchestration.

Orchestrate at a Glance

Part of speechverb
Pronunciation/ˈȯr-kə-ˌstrāt/
Syllables3
Synonymsdirect, organize and engineer
Verb formsorchestrates, orchestrating, orchestrated
First known use1858

Orchestrate Definition (Verb)

  1. to compose or arrange (music) for an orchestra

    The composer orchestrated the music for the symphony orchestra.

  2. to provide with orchestration

    orchestrate a ballet

  3. to arrange or combine so as to achieve a desired or maximum effect

    orchestrated preparations for the banquet / a carefully orchestrated stunt

Synonyms of Orchestrate

Orchestrate synonyms and antonyms →

Antonyms of Orchestrate

No antonyms or near antonyms are listed by the available sources for this entry.

Orchestrate in a Sentence

Sergio Leone orchestrated "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly".

Orchestrated histories are not fact-based.

The composer orchestrated the music for the symphony orchestra.

orchestrate a ballet

orchestrated preparations for the banquet

a carefully orchestrated stunt

She orchestrated a brilliant publicity campaign.

orchestrated preparations for the banquet / a carefully orchestrated stunt

Word Forms & Grammar

or·ches·trat·ed

or·ches·trat·ing

or·ches·tra·tor noun

orchestrate

orchestrated

orchestrater

orchestraters

orchestrates

orchestrating

orchestrator

orchestrators

orchestrate (third-person singular simple present orchestrates, present participle orchestrating, simple past and past participle orchestrated)

Words That Rhyme With Orchestrate

Origin of Orchestrate

From orchestra +‎ -ate (verb-forming suffix). Compare French orchestrer.

First Known Use

1858

Pronouncing Orchestrate

Orchestrate is pronounced /ˈȯr-kə-ˌstrāt/ and has 3 syllables, with the main stress on the first syllable (ȯr).

Questions People Ask About Orchestrate

What part of speech is orchestrate?

Orchestrate is a verb.

What is another word for orchestrate?

Words with a similar meaning to orchestrate include direct, organize and engineer. See the full list of orchestrate synonyms and antonyms.

What is the past tense of orchestrate?

The past tense of orchestrate is orchestrated. The present participle is orchestrating.

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Merriam-WebsterReference content from Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate® Dictionary and Collegiate® Thesaurus © Merriam-Webster Inc.Data credits & licensing