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

Explanation

Cohesion means sticking together. If your group of friends heads to the lunchroom as a team and sits all together, you're demonstrating strong cohesion. Cohesion is a word that comes to us through physics, where cohesion describes particles that are the same and tend to stick together — water molecules, for example. Outside of physics, cohesion describes unity among parts, and is something to be sought after. A team that has good cohesion is often a team that wins.

Example Sentences

Mitchell made eight changes from the World Cup final starting XV, which resulted in a lack of cohesion at times as his side attempted to play an open and expansive brand of rugby.

From BBC • Apr. 11, 2026

As for potential offramps, Walsh notes that many of Iran’s demands have been economic and that there is some cohesion in the region.

From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026

As in ancient Athens, those most vocal about the need to protect children from corrupting influences insist that such drastic measures constitute a defense of rather than an attack on democratic values and social cohesion.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

The ultimate outcome of the Iran conflict depends on Iran’s response, leadership cohesion and willingness to return to negotiations.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 17, 2026

But at a bigger size you have to impose complicated hierarchies and rules and regulations and formal measures to try to command loyalty and cohesion.

From "The Tipping Point" by Malcolm Gladwell

Related Words

• coherence