synthesis

Everyday

1. A synthesis is a mix or combination of different ideas, parts or things into one new whole. tree →
2. (science) Synthesis is making a substance by joining simpler substances, in nature or in a lab. tree →
3. (science) Photosynthesis is how plants make their own food from light, water and carbon dioxide. tree →
4. (music, computers) Sound synthesis is making sounds electronically, and speech synthesis is a computer speaking. tree →

In the lessons

In science, plants carry out photosynthesis, and chemists synthesise medicines. In English and history, a synthesis brings together ideas from several sources into your own summary. In music, a synthesiser makes sounds. "Syn-" means together and "thesis" means putting.

Examples

• Photosynthesis is how plants make food from sunlight. tree →
• The report was a synthesis of ideas from many books. tree →
• Scientists made the medicine by chemical synthesis. tree →
• Our project was a synthesis of art and science. tree →
• Speech synthesis lets the computer read stories aloud. tree →
• The synthesis of proteins happens inside our cells. tree →
• Your essay should be a synthesis, not a copy of one source. tree →

Note

Plural: syntheses ("SIN-thuh-seez"). Verb: synthesise (UK) / synthesize (US). Opposite: analysis (breaking something into parts). A "synthetic" material is man-made, like nylon.