convergent

American  

[kuhn-vur-juhnt] / kənˈvɜr dʒənt /

adjective

1. characterized by convergence; tending to come together; merging.

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convergent British  

/ kənˈvɜːdʒənt /

adjective

1. (of two or more lines, paths, etc) moving towards or meeting at some common point

2. (of forces, ideas, etc) tending towards the same result; merging

3. maths (of an infinite series) having a finite limit

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Other Word Forms

• convergently adverb
• nonconvergent adjective
• unconvergent adjective

Etymology

Origin of convergent

First recorded in 1720–30, convergent is from the Late Latin word convergent- (stem of convergēns, present participle of convergere ). See converge, -ent

Example Sentences

It’s an example of convergent evolution, when completely unrelated species independently evolve comparable traits in response to similar environmental pressures.

From Slate • Jan. 25, 2026

This process of carcinisation is a form of convergent evolution.

From BBC • Oct. 17, 2025

Though its teeth were different, the ancient walrus evolved separately from O. rosmarus, an example of convergent evolution or when similar traits arise spontaneously in different animals.

From Salon • Aug. 15, 2024

“The U.S., Japan, and the Philippines are three closely aligned maritime democracies with increasingly convergent strategic objectives and interests,” Jake Sullivan, the president’s national security adviser, said on Tuesday.

From New York Times • Apr. 11, 2024

There may be some convergent evolution because there may be only one best solution to a certain environmental problem— something like two eyes, for example, for binocular vision at optical frequencies.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan