What does synchronization mean?
Synchronization is the coordination of two or more people, activities, signals, or systems so that they occur at the same time or remain accurately aligned. It is used in discussions of music and dance, where performers must coordinate their timing, as well as in technology, engineering, science, and media, where clocks, cameras, communications systems, or data must remain synchronized. The word can describe either the ongoing state of being coordinated or the process of achieving that coordination. Synchronization does not necessarily imply that everything is identical; it primarily concerns timing and correspondence. A person might say that two performances are “in perfect synchronization” when their movements and rhythms match closely. The related adjective “synchronized” describes things that have been coordinated, while the verb “synchronize” means to bring them into that condition. The term conveys precision, order, and careful coordination, although in less formal contexts the simpler phrase “in sync” is often preferred.
nounThe process of making or being simultaneous, especially the coordination of two or more activities, signals, or events so that they occur at the same time or remain aligned. It can also refer to the state of being synchronized.
- The process of arranging two or more actions, events, or systems to happen at the same time or remain aligned.
- The state of being simultaneous or coordinated in timing, movement, or operation.
"The two clocks drifted out of synchronization after several hours."
"The conductor maintained careful synchronization between the orchestra and the choir."
"The system corrects any loss of synchronization between the cameras and the recording equipment."
Used when referring to separate instances or processes of coordinating actions, events, signals, or systems.
"The engineers tested the synchronizations of the satellite transmitters under difficult conditions."
A perfect synchronization makes separate parts feel like one coordinated whole—from dancers and musicians to aircraft, satellites, and data systems.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does synchronization come from?
“Synchronization” was formed from “synchronize” together with the suffix “-ation,” meaning the process or result of making something synchronous. “Synchronize” comes through the Latinized form “synchronizare,” from Greek synchronos, meaning “simultaneous” or “happening at the same time.” Greek synchronos was built from syn-, meaning “together,” and chronos, meaning “time.” Related English words include “synchronous,” “synchronism,” and “synchrony,” all sharing this sense of coincidence in time.
Related word forms
How synchronization is actually used
The term is formal and technical in contexts such as engineering, computing, biology, and media production. In everyday speech, “in sync” is a less formal alternative.
Easily confused with synchronization
Synchronization is the noun naming the process or state, while synchronize is the verb describing the action of causing things to occur together or align.