cohesion

[koh-hee-zhuhn]

noun

1. the act or state of cohering, uniting, or sticking together.

2. Physics.,  the molecular force between particles within a body or substance that acts to unite them.

3. Botany.,  the congenital union of one part with another.

4. Linguistics.,  the property of unity in a written text or a segment of spoken discourse that stems from links among its surface elements, as when words in one sentence are repeated in another, and especially from the fact that some words or phrases depend for their interpretation upon material in preceding or following text, as in the sequence Be assured of this. Most people do not want to fight. However, they will do so when provoked, where this refers to the two sentences that follow, they refers back to most people, do so substitutes for the preceding verb fight, and however relates the clause that follows to the preceding sentence.

cohesion

/ kəʊˈhiːʒən /

noun

1. the act or state of cohering; tendency to unite

2. physics the force that holds together the atoms or molecules in a solid or liquid, as distinguished from adhesion

3. botany the fusion in some plants of flower parts, such as petals, that are usually separate

cohesion

1. The force of attraction that holds molecules of a given substance together. It is strongest in solids, less strong in liquids, and least strong in gases. Cohesion of molecules causes drops to form in liquids (as when liquid mercury is poured on a piece of glass), and causes condensing water vapor to form the droplets that make clouds.

2. Compare adhesion

cohesion

1. The molecular (see molecule) attraction or joining of the surfaces of two pieces of the same substance. (Compare adhesion.)

Other Word Forms

• cohesionless adjective
• intercohesion noun
• noncohesion noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of cohesion¹

First recorded in 1670–80; variant of cohaesion, from Latin cohaes(us) “stuck together” (past participle of cohaerēre “to stick, cling together”; cohere ) + -iō -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of cohesion¹

C17: from Latin cohaesus stuck together, past participle of cohaerēre to _cohere

Example Sentences

After rushing to create cohesion at midseason, Doncic, whose Lakers debut was slowed by a lingering calf injury, said in August he looked forward to getting a whole preseason to build chemistry with his teammates.

From Los Angeles Times

With more money, and the subsequent increased depth, cohesion and conditioning, they would have a great chance.

From BBC

Lack of any bite, cohesion and, it appears. any plan.

From BBC

We've also worked to boost community cohesion, tackle hate crime and reset the relationship with faith communities.

From BBC

A win over Kairat or a goal or a semblance of cohesion over two legs.

From BBC

Related Words

• coherence