verb

synchronize

SING-kruh-nyze/ˈsɪŋkrənaɪz/

To make things happen at the same time or keep the same time.

The technician synchronizes the clocks by adjusting their hands to match.

A white technician carefully adjusts two analog clocks so their hands match, clocks have simple tick marks no numbers.

Etymology

synGreektogether

+chronGreektime

+izeGreekverb-forming suffix

The pieces express being together in time. Synchronize first meant to occur at the same time, then also to cause things—such as timepieces—to agree in time or operation.

In context

TEDx Talks12:00

So in order to do that you need to synchronize the time in the two places. And this is done thanks to the GPS signal which gives you a common origin of time.

TEDxSalford - Dario Autiero - The Neutrino Anomaly

More examples

The technician synchronizes the sound with the video.
The dancers practice synchronizing their steps with the music.
We synchronized the two clocks so they showed the same time.

Forms

synchronize · synchronizes · synchronized · synchronizing

synchronization noun — The process of making timing match.

synchronous adjective — Happening or operating at the same time.

Similar words

coordinate: Organizes activities together without requiring them to occur simultaneously.
align: Brings timing into agreement, but also applies to other arrangements.