synchronous

[ sing-kruh-nuh s ]

/ ˈsɪŋ krə nəs /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR synchronous ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

occurring at the same time; coinciding in time; contemporaneous; simultaneous.

going on at the same rate and exactly together; recurring together.

Physics, Electricity. having the same frequency and zero phase difference.

Computers, Telecommunications. of, relating to, or operating using fixed-time intervals controlled by a clock (opposed to asynchronous).

Aerospace. geostationary.

Nearby words

synchronize, synchronized shifting, synchronized skating, synchronized swimming, synchronoscope, synchronous, synchronous converter, synchronous machine, synchronous meteorological satellite, synchronous motor, synchronous orbit

Origin of synchronous

1660–70; < Late Latin synchronus < Greek sýnchronos, equivalent to syn- syn- + chrón(os) time + -os adj. suffix; see -ous

Related forms

syn·chro·nous·ly, adverbsyn·chro·nous·ness, nounnon·syn·chro·nous, adjectivenon·syn·chro·nous·ly, adverb

non·syn·chro·nous·ness, nounun·syn·chro·nous, adjectiveun·syn·chro·nous·ly, adverbun·syn·chro·nous·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for synchronous

The loss of whitebark and the rapid increase in human-killed grizzlies are synchronous.
What It Takes to Kill a Grizzly Bear|Doug Peacock|November 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
There are no real, long-term safe havens that are immune to synchronous shocks.
Global Markets Spooked|Zachary Karabell|August 8, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Contiguity in time corresponds to the successive, and contiguity in place to the synchronous, order.
The English Utilitarians, Volume II (of 3)|Leslie Stephen
Pulsation, synchronous with the action of the heart, is the diagnostic symptom.
Special Report on Diseases of the Horse|United States Department of Agriculture

In connection with synchronous converters the current may be made either lagging or leading by adjusting the field excitation.
Motion Picture Operation, Stage Electrics and Illusions|Henry C. Horstmann
By the use of the synchronous motor-generators the lighting circuits are protected from these pressure variations.
Electric Transmission of Water Power|Alton D. Adams
The laws of number are common to synchronous and successive phenomena.
A System of Logic: Ratiocinative and Inductive|John Stuart Mill

British Dictionary definitions for synchronous

synchronous

/ (ˈsɪŋkrənəs) /

adjective

occurring at the same time; contemporaneous

physics (of periodic phenomena, such as voltages) having the same frequency and phase

occurring or recurring exactly together and at the same ratethe synchronous flapping of a bird's wings

Derived Forms

synchronously, adverbsynchronousness, noun

Word Origin for synchronous

C17: from Late Latin synchronus, from Greek sunkhronos, from syn- + khronos time

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

synchronous

adjective

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of synchronous

Related forms

Examples from the Web for synchronous

British Dictionary definitions for synchronous

synchronous

adjective

Derived Forms

Word Origin for synchronous

Medicine definitions for synchronous

synchronous

adj.