orchestrate

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

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

Kim was taken into custody early Wednesday following a Seoul court's approval of a warrant accusing him of orchestrating a rebellion and abusing his authority. —Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024

Billionaire David Bonderman, whose private equity firm TPG orchestrated dozens of leverage buyouts over the decades since it was founded in 1992, has died at age 82 on Wednesday, December 11. —Kerry A. Dolan, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024

Amid all the uncertainty that Trump 2.0 will bring, the last thing that Putin and Xi are worried about is Washington’s ability to orchestrate a real split between their countries, despite Trump’s promise to do so on the campaign trail. —Alexander Gabuev, Foreign Affairs, 6 Dec. 2024

With a deeper and more talented roster, Brunson’s primary focus has transitioned from filling the box score to orchestrating the offense. —Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 5 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1858, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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