rhizoverbBeta
DictionarysynchronousCoordinated timing
adjective

synchronous

SING-kruh-nuhs/ˈsɪŋkrənəs/

Occurring or operating at the same time or with coordinated timing.

The swimmers' synchronous movements raise matching arms above the water.

Two synchronized swimmers rise from water with perfectly matching arm positions, one Black one East Asian, coordinated action.
Etymology
synGreektogether
+chronGreektime
+ousEnglishcharacterized by

“Together” and “time” describe events sharing the same moment. The meaning also extends to repeated events that keep matching one another in timing, rather than merely coinciding once.

In context

Bryan Alexander24:47
they really didn't have the time or the tools to do so asynchronously and so they opted for synchronous zoom sessions
On digital transformation

More examples

  • Synchronous classes require students and teachers to meet at the same time.
  • The two motors remain synchronous as their speed increases.
  • The experiment records synchronous flashes from two separate lights.

Forms

synchronous

synchronously adverb — At the same time or with coordinated timing.

synchronize verb — To make things operate with coordinated timing.

Similar words

simultaneous
Happening at the same moment, without necessarily involving coordinated operation.
synchronized
Emphasizes that timing has been adjusted to match.