adj. 1. Occurring or existing at the same time. See Synonyms at contemporary. 2. Moving or operating at the same rate: synchronous motors. 3. a. Having identical periods. b. Having identical period and phase: synchronous oscillations. c. Relating to or being a satellite that orbits a celestial body at a speed that matches the body's rotation, thus remaining stationary as observed from the body's surface. d. Synchronized by an electronic clock: synchronous signaling. [From Late Latin synchronus, from Greek sunkhronos : sun-, syn- + khronos, time.] synchro·nous·ly adv. synchro·nous·ness n. |
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