synchronise

Synchronise is a verb meaning to occur at the same time or to cause something to occur at the same time. The term comes from Greek syn- “together” and hronos “time.” In British English the spelling synchronise is common; American English uses synchronize.

In technology and science, synchronization describes aligning timing across systems or processes. Temporal synchronization is central to clock synchronization in distributed computing and networks, with protocols such as NTP (Network Time Protocol) and PTP (Precision Time Protocol) addressing clock drift. Data synchronization ensures consistency across devices or databases. Multimedia synchronization aligns audio, video, and subtitles so they play in concert.

In media and music, synchronization refers to coordinating tempo and rhythm; in film and dubbing, lip-sync ensures dialogue matches the actor’s lip movements. In digital media, synchronized playback allows streaming with correct timing and cueing across components.

In biology, synchronization describes rhythms aligning with environmental cues; circadian rhythms synchronize to the day-night cycle. Synchronous cellular cultures involve simultaneous cell cycles. The term also appears in astronomy and engineering to denote phase alignment of periodic signals, such as synchronized rotating objects or waveforms.

Overall, synchronisation is a broad concept describing timing alignment across domains, enabling coordinated action, data integrity, and efficient operation. It underpins systems that rely on precise timing, whether in networks, media production, or biological processes.