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synergy

[sin-er-jee]
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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR synergy ON THESAURUS.COM

noun, plural syn·er·gies.

the interaction of elements that when combined produce a total effect that is greater than the sum of the individual elements, contributions, etc.; synergism.
Physiology, Medicine/Medical. the cooperative action of two or more muscles, nerves, or the like.
Biochemistry, Pharmacology. the cooperative action of two or more stimuli or drugs.

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RELATED WORDS

teamwork, alliance, union, coaction, unity, harmony, synergism, symbiosis, teaming

Nearby words

  1. synergism,
  2. synergist,
  3. synergistic,
  4. synergistic muscles,
  5. synergize,
  6. synesis,
  7. synesthesia,
  8. synesthesialgia,
  9. synesthetic,
  10. synfuel

Origin of synergy

1650–60; < New Latin synergia < Greek synergía, equivalent to synerg(ós) (see synergism) + -ia -y3
Related formssyn·er·gic [si-nur-jik] /sɪˈnɜr dʒɪk/, adjective
Related Quotations
  • "Synergy is the creation of a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts."
    -Ray French, Charlotte Rayner, Gary Rees, Sally Rumbles, et al. Organizational Behaviour (2008)
  • "A designed beauty of synergy is that it serves only to add, never subtract."
    -Barb Rententbach Synergy (2009)
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for synergy

British Dictionary definitions for synergy

synergy

noun plural -gies

Also called: synergism the potential ability of individual organizations or groups to be more successful or productive as a result of a merger
another name for synergism (def. 1)
Derived Formssynergic (sɪˈnɜːdʒɪk), adjective

Word Origin for synergy

C19: from New Latin synergia, from Greek sunergos; see synergism
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
Word Origin and History for synergy
n.

1650s, "cooperation," from Modern Latin synergia, from Greek synergia "joint work, assistance, help," from synergos "working together," related to synergein "work together, help another in work," from syn- "together" (see syn-) + ergon "work" (see urge (v.)). Meaning "combined activities of a group" is from 1847.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Medicine definitions for synergy

synergy

[sĭn′ər-jē]

n.

The interaction of two or more agents or forces so that their combined effect is greater than the sum of their individual effects.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.