the word synchronize is built from greek components that entered english via latin and modern scientific terminology. the prefix syn, derived from the greek preposition meaning "together," combines with chron, the greek root for "time," literally creating the concept of "together in time." the suffix ize, a productive verb-forming element from greek, was added to signify the action of making things occur together in time. thus, the etymological logic moves from the literal ancient greek idea of "to be contemporaneous" to the modern technical and general senses of coordinating events, processes, or devices to occur simultaneously or in a precise sequence.

Structure: syn (together) + chron (time) + ize (verb suffix) syn: from greek, meaning "together, with, same". a prefix indicating union or association. chron: from greek 'chronos', meaning "time". a root denoting time. ize: from greek -izein via latin -izare, a verb-forming suffix meaning "to make, to become, to practice".