What does synthesis mean?
Synthesis is the act of bringing separate elements together to form a coherent whole. In general discussion, it often means the careful integration of different ideas, observations, or arguments into a unified account, as in a scholarly article that provides a synthesis of research on a topic. The word can also describe a combination of artistic, technological, or practical features. In chemistry, synthesis has a more technical meaning: the production of a compound from simpler substances through a chemical reaction. These compounds are called synthetic because they are manufactured rather than obtained directly from natural sources. The term can imply deliberate selection and organization rather than an accidental mixture. It is especially useful when discussing how evidence, perspectives, or materials are brought together into a meaningful whole.
nounThe process of combining separate elements into a connected whole, especially by integrating ideas, observations, or materials. In chemistry, it refers to a method of producing a compound from simpler substances.
- The process of combining separate elements into a coherent or connected whole.
- The production of a compound from simpler chemical substances.
- A unified combination of ideas, findings, or materials.
"The report offers a careful synthesis of the major arguments for and against the proposal."
"The lecture presented a synthesis of several competing theories."
"The new method enables the synthesis of medicines in smaller laboratories."
The plural is pronounced /ˈsɪnθəsiːz/ and is commonly used when referring to multiple integrated bodies of work, analyses, or chemical products.
"The book compares syntheses of several major conflicts."
A synthesis does more than put things together: it turns separate pieces into a coherent whole.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does synthesis come from?
The word comes through Latin from Greek sýnthesis, a noun formed from syn-, meaning “together,” and thé-, associated with placing or setting. The Greek term referred to a putting together or composition. English borrowed it in the 17th century, initially for the process of combining parts and later for the chemical production of compounds. Related English words such as synthesize and synthetic come from the same Greek roots.
Related word forms
How synthesis is actually used
In academic, scientific, and analytical contexts, the word is usually formal and often conveys an organized integration of ideas or evidence rather than merely a physical mixture.
Easily confused with synthesis
Analysis examines a subject by breaking it into constituent parts, whereas synthesis combines separate parts into a connected or unified account.