confluence

Also con·flux

[kon-floo-uhns]

noun

1. a flowing together of two or more streams, rivers, or the like.

   the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers.

2. their place of junction.

   St. Louis is at the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers.

3. a body of water formed by the flowing together of two or more streams, rivers, or the like.

4. a coming together of people or things; concourse.

   Synonyms: meeting, union

5. a crowd or throng; assemblage.

confluence

/ ˈkɒnflʊəns, ˈkɒnflʌks /

noun

1. a merging or flowing together, esp of rivers

2. a gathering together, esp of people

confluence

1. A flowing together of two or more streams or two or more glaciers.

2. The point of juncture of such streams or glaciers.

3. The combined stream or glacier formed by this juncture.

Word History and Origins

Origin of confluence¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Middle French, from Late Latin confluentia, from Latin confluent-, stem of confluēns “flowing together” ( confluent ) + -ia -ia

Example Sentences

Surrounded by farmland, Sacramento sits at the confluence of the American and Sacramento rivers, and as it turns out, “confluence” is a leading theme of this year’s inaugural gathering.

From Los Angeles Times

Disasters are real — also, these days, frighteningly common, be they epic confluences of nature and negligence or the murderous and preventable kind.

From Los Angeles Times

The confluence of these different pressure systems has resulted in fluctuations in forecast models that make it hard to predict exactly where in Southern California thunder, lightning and rain will land, she said.

From Los Angeles Times

It came about through a confluence of circumstances.

From BBC

But I must consider: What was the mysterious confluence that caused my knee to break at the time Gail’s mother died, bringing Gail and me to one table, in one place, at one time?

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• assemblage 
• junction