synchronize

especially British, syn·chro·nise

[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.

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.

synchronize

/ ˈsɪŋkrəˌnaɪz /

verb

1. 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

Other Word Forms

• synchronization noun
• synchronizer noun
• desynchronization noun
• desynchronize verb (used with object)
• unsynchronized 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

The scenic and sound elements were synchronized to produce maximum terror.

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When the person delivering the potentially deceptive information was considered a friend, both individuals showed synchronized brain activity.

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The latest update to Sora, released at the end of September, is “more physically accurate, realistic, and more controllable than prior systems,” according to OpenAI, and it also features synchronized dialogue and sound effects.

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One powerful solution is to synchronize AI’s huge power needs with the public grid’s real-time stress level.

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Whatever the choice, the timing between the pump and signal pulses must stay synchronized.

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Related Words

• adjust 
• harmonize 
• integrate 
• mesh