synthesizer

[ sin-thuh-sahy-zer ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a person or thing that synthesizes.
any of various electronic, sometimes portable consoles or modules, usually computerized, for creating, modifying, and combining tones or reproducing the sounds of musical instruments by controlling voltage patterns, operated by means of keyboards, joysticks, sliders, or knobs.

synthesizer

/ ˈsɪnθɪˌsaɪzə /

noun

an electrophonic instrument, usually operated by means of a keyboard and pedals, in which sounds are produced by voltage-controlled oscillators, filters, and amplifiers, with an envelope generator module that controls attack, decay, sustain, and release
a person or thing that synthesizes

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Word History and Origins

Origin of synthesizer¹

First recorded in 1865–70; 1905–10 synthesizer fordef 2; synthesize + -er ¹

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The band began to mix in synthesizers with the typical instrumentation, creating an unforgettable, hypnotic sound — every thump and woosh calls listeners to the dance floor and begs them to move.

From Los Angeles Times

I wouldn’t do the synthesizers on “Born Again” now.

From Los Angeles Times

And when a malfunctioning synthesizer forced him to abort a performance of his new song Small Changes, the former perfectionist just laughed it off.

From BBC

One of Wise’s most stunning compositions, “Forest Interlude,” began as an attempt to recreate the hypnotic synthesizer sounds of Duran Duran’s “Save a Prayer.”

From New York Times

But for the time being, I bought him a pocket synthesizer to mess around with.

From New York Times

synthesize synthespian

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