Providing or affording a general overview, survey, or summary of a subject. The professor gave a synoptic outline of the course at the beginning of the semester.
Relating to the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) in the New Testament, which present similar narratives of the life and teachings of Jesus. The synoptic accounts of the miracle were compared to highlight their similarities and differences.
Meteorology: Relating to data or analyses representing atmospheric conditions over a wide area at a particular time. Synoptic weather maps show the positions of high- and low-pressure systems across the continent.