synchronize

[ sing-kruh-nahyz ]

verb (used with object)

synchronized, synchronizing.

1. to cause to indicate the same time, as one timepiece with another:

   Synchronize your watches.

2. to cause to go on, move, operate, work, etc., at the same rate and exactly together:

   They synchronized their steps and walked on together.

3. Movies, Television.
   1. to cause (sound and action) to match precisely:

      to synchronize the sound of footsteps with the actor's movements.

   2. to match the sound and action in (a scene).
4. to harmonize or bring into alignment:

   To be at peace with yourself you must synchronize your lifestyle with your values.

5. to cause (accounts or narratives) to agree in the timing and sequence of events, or to arrange (events) in a way that shows their occurrence in the same time or period:

   The early church fathers did not attempt to synchronize the four gospels.

   This chart synchronizes inventions that occurred simultaneously in different parts of the world.

6. Computers. sync ( def 4 ).
7. to adjust the periodicities of (two or more electrical or mechanical devices) so that the periods are equal or integral multiples or fractions of each other.

verb (used without object)

synchronized, synchronizing.

1. to occur at the same time or coincide or agree in time.
2. to go on, move, operate, work, etc., at the same rate and exactly together; recur together.
3. Computers. sync ( def 7 ).

synchronize

/ ˈsɪŋkrəˌnaɪz /

verb

1. whenintr, usually foll by with to occur or recur or cause to occur or recur at the same time or in unison
2. to indicate or cause to indicate the same time

   synchronize your watches

3. to download files, esp music or video files, from a PC to a portable device such as an iPod, or to upload files from the device to a PC
4. tr films to establish (the picture and soundtrack records) in their correct relative position
5. tr to designate (events) as simultaneous

Derived Forms

• ˌsynchroniˈzation, noun
• ˈsynchroˌnizer, noun

Other Word Forms

• syn·chro·ni·za·tion [sing-kr, uh, -nahy-, zey, -sh, uh, n], noun
• syn·chro·niz·er noun
• de·syn·chro·ni·za·tion noun
• de·syn·chro·nize verb (used with object) desynchronized desynchronizing
• un·syn·chro·nized adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of synchronize¹

First recorded in 1615–25; from Greek synchronízein “to be contemporary with”; from sýnchron(os) synchronous + -izein -ize

Example Sentences

With every bass drop Lake offered to the crowd, he was met with a sea of synchronized hand movements.

From Los Angeles Times

In one synchronized move, they turned around to face us.

From Los Angeles Times

And Margaret is in the other bathroom and she synchronized her movements with the camera.

From Los Angeles Times

We finished with a synchronized wave of yoga poses and a short hike back to La Brea Boulevard.

From Los Angeles Times

Meanwhile, the synchronized body cameras capture multiple perspectives of soldiers working together on the ground.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• adjust
• harmonize
• integrate
• mesh