cohesion

American  

[koh-hee-zhuhn] / koʊˈhi ʒən /

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.

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cohesion British  

/ 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

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cohesion Scientific  

/ kō-hē′zhən /

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

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cohesion Cultural  

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

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Other Word Forms

• cohesionless adjective
• intercohesion noun
• noncohesion noun

Etymology

Origin of cohesion

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

Example Sentences

Under my government, social cohesion was integrated into our national-security framework through the Home Affairs portfolio.

From The Wall Street Journal

People find identity through participation—they may lose money, but they gain a kind of cohesion.

From The Wall Street Journal

Recognizing this distinction may help reduce the negative emotional effects associated with social media and could improve social cohesion by reminding people that most users are not behaving badly online.

From Science Daily

A common understanding of terminology is essential for everything from simple conversation to the cohesion of an entire society.

From The Wall Street Journal

The leaders a nation chooses, the domestic cohesion it fosters, the technological investments it prioritizes—all help determine preparedness for war.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• coherence