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synchronous

adjective
syn·​chro·​nous | \ ˈsiÅ‹-krÉ™-nÉ™s How to pronounce synchronous (audio) , ˈsin-\

Definition of synchronous

1 : happening, existing, or arising at precisely the same time
2 : recurring or operating at exactly the same periods
3 : involving or indicating synchronism
4a : having the same period also : having the same period and phase
b : geostationary
5 : of, used in, or being digital communication (as between computers) in which a common timing signal is established that dictates when individual bits can be transmitted and which allows for very high rates of data transfer
Other Words from synchronous Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about synchronous

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Other Words from synchronous

synchronously adverb
synchronousness noun

Choose the Right Synonym for synchronous

contemporary, contemporaneous, coeval, synchronous, simultaneous, coincident mean existing or occurring at the same time. contemporary is likely to apply to people and what relates to them. Abraham Lincoln was contemporary with Charles Darwin contemporaneous is more often applied to events than to people. contemporaneous accounts of the kidnapping coeval refers usually to periods, ages, eras, eons. two stars thought to be coeval synchronous implies exact correspondence in time and especially in periodic intervals. synchronous timepieces simultaneous implies correspondence in a moment of time. the two shots were simultaneous coincident is applied to events and may be used in order to avoid implication of causal relationship. the end of World War II was coincident with a great vintage year

Did You Know?

Communications satellites are usually put into a synchronous (or geosynchronous) orbit, circling the earth once every 24 hours and so appearing to hover over a single spot on the surface. This type of synchronized movement is important, since you have to know where to aim your satellite dish. In the computer field, synchronous usually refers to the use of a simple timing signal that permits very rapid exchange of data between computers. The kind of mysterious coincidence sometimes called synchronicity—such as the appearance of two different comic-strip characters named Dennis the Menace in the U.S. and Britain within three days of each other in 1951—has fascinated people for centuries.

Examples of synchronous in a Sentence

the synchronous arrival of a baby sister and loss of a beloved grandmother strongly affected the child

Recent Examples on the Web

 For much of workplace history, collaboration among colleagues was synchronous by default. — Cal Newport, The New Yorker, "Was E-mail a Mistake?," 6 Aug. 2019 The key development in that invention was the advent of synchronous-sound cameras, which allowed the filmmakers to move more freely with and among their subjects, and to do away with the postproduction voice-over model of narrative. — John Williams, New York Times, "D.A. Pennebaker, Pioneer of Cinéma Vérité in America, Dies at 94," 3 Aug. 2019 Once in this self-reinforcing, synchronous state, there’s no reason for the system to deviate. — Wired, "The Math of How Crickets, Starlings, and Neurons Sync Up," 7 Apr. 2019 This was a great idea, but the cameras of the time had trouble shooting synchronous sound. — Bart Weiss, Dallas News, "Dallas critic remembers D.A. Pennebaker, creator of the Dylan myth, modern documentary and music video," 5 Aug. 2019 For years, a jolt to the price of Bitcoin triggered a synchronous response in other cryptocurrencies. — Robert Hackett, Fortune, "Here Comes the IRS—The Ledger," 29 July 2019 Known as synchronous rotation, this celestial dance means that the same lunar face always peers down at us. — National Geographic, "Why does Earth have a moon, and how does it affect our planet?," 3 July 2019 Once in this self-reinforcing, synchronous state, there’s no reason for the system to deviate. — Quanta Magazine, "Scientists Discover Exotic New Patterns of Synchronization," 4 Apr. 2019 In fact, people travel to the Great Smoky Mountains during peak firefly season (from late May to mid-June) just to catch a glimpse of the park’s famous synchronous lightening bugs in action. — Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, "How to Attract Fireflies to Your Yard," 10 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'synchronous.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of synchronous

1669, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for synchronous

Late Latin synchronos, from Greek, from syn- + chronos time

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More Definitions for synchronous

synchronous

adjective
How to pronounce synchronous (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of synchronous

formal + technical : happening, moving, or existing at the same time

See the full definition for synchronous in the English Language Learners Dictionary

synchronous

adjective
syn·​chro·​nous | \ ˈsiÅ‹-krÉ™-nÉ™s, ˈsin- How to pronounce synchronous (audio) \

Medical Definition of synchronous

1 : happening, existing, or arising at precisely the same time
2 : recurring or operating at exactly the same periods
3 : having the same period also : having the same period and phase

Other Words from synchronous

synchronously adverb

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