sync
Americannoun
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synchronization, or the condition of moving, operating, acting, etc., at the same rate and exactly together (usually preceded by in orout of ).
The picture and the soundtrack were out of sync.
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harmony or harmonious relationship (usually preceded by in orout of ).
Management wants to be in sync with the client's wishes.
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Computers. the process of connecting devices or computers, or of uploading data from one to the other or to a network or data store, so that all connected devices and repositories share current data.
You can disconnect your phone from the computer after the sync finishes.
verb (used with object)
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Computers. Also
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to connect (devices or computers) so that they share current data, often the data generated by a particular app and stored on one of the devices or computers.
Every few days I sync my fitness tracker with my computer so my averages are updated on the computer.
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to upload (data) from one device or computer to another, or to a network or data store, so that all connected devices and repositories share current data.
This app lets you sync your photos across multiple devices.
When several of us are working on code in the same program, we have to sync changes frequently.
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to synchronize, or cause to move, operate, act, etc., at the same rate and exactly together.
The cheerleaders and baton twirlers synced their movements perfectly to the band.
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to harmonize or align.
It is extremely important to sync your priorities with those of your teammates.
verb (used without object)
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Computers. Also to initiate or undergo a connection between devices or computers, or with a network or data store, to share current data.
Your computer needs to sync with a server on the west coast at the end of each day’s work.
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to be in or come into harmony or alignment.
Despite my fears, my new roommate and I synced almost right away.
Project management should sync with organizational strategy so we all know how to plan.
verb
noun
Usage
What does sync mean? Sync means to cause to move or operate at the same time, as in My phone synced with my wireless earbuds, and now I can listen to music on my phone.Sync also means to occur at the same time or rate, as in The train and bus schedules sync up so that passengers can catch the bus when they arrive at the train station.Sync also describes the state of being in harmony or the relationship between two things that run at the same time, as in Felix gets frustrated when the video and audio are out of sync.Sync is a shortened form of synchronization and can be spelled synch.Example: Sync the headphones with the system and then give it a listen.
Etymology
Origin of sync
First recorded in 1930–35; shortened from synchronize ( def. )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
She quickly recovered the loss by securing a new coalition partner, the Japan Innovation Party, a free-market group more in sync with her conservative politics.
I had no idea what we looked like, standing there smiling at each other, but it felt as right and in sync as the ampé game she’d just been playing.
From Literature
Sadly for Warren, earpiece issues left him singing flat and out of sync during his segment.
From BBC
However, the way different asset classes moved on Friday wasn’t entirely in sync with how markets expect Warsh to act as Fed chair.
From MarketWatch
For years, Southwest stuck with a one-size-fits-all approach that fell out of sync with competitors, who went deeper into tiered fares and charging for different services as a way to drum up more profits.
From MarketWatch
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
