Synthesis Meaning
/ˈsɪnθəsɪs/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounThe formation of something complex or coherent by combining simpler things.
nounCreation of a complex waveform by summation of simpler waveforms.
Sentence Examples
His work is a synthesis of several ideas.
Additive synthesis involves manually controlling harmonics, and uses only sine waves.
The synthesis of art with everyday life
CEFR Practice Quiz
The lab produced a new drug through chemical ____ of various molecules.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
His new book provides a brilliant ____ of all the most recent research that has been done on this important topic today.
Word Origin & History
From Latin synthesis, from Ancient Greek σύνθεσις (súnthesis, “a putting together; composition”), from συντίθημι (suntíthēmi, “put together, combine”), from συν- (sun-, “together”) + τίθημι (títhēmi, “set, place”). Doublet of sandhi.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"In its synthesis of different art forms and various techniques, Tongues Untied actually represented a departure for Riggs, whose previous work […] had been in a relatively traditional documentary format."
— 1990 December 16, Phil Harper, “Affirmed”, in Gay Community News, volume 18, number 22, page 9:
"The Saturnalia was apparently the only occasion, however, when the synthesis could be worn in public with decorum."
— 1918, American Philological Association, Transactions and Proceedings of the American Philological Association, page 132:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The lab produced a new drug through chemical ____ of various molecules.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
His new book provides a brilliant ____ of all the most recent research that has been done on this important topic today.