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

“It’s a really interesting example of the confluence of celebrity with technology and consumer trends,” he said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“Overall, this appears to be a confluence of short-term liquidity issues, sustained selling and eroded sentiment rather than a single catalyst,” said Kelly.

Read more on MarketWatch

A confluence of factors contributed to the selling, Wall Street strategists said, but shifting views about the Federal Reserve’s plans for interest-rate cuts appeared to be chief among them.

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At the confluence of three alleyways, the crowd swells, a living, breathing thing.

Read more on Salon

Recent concern about private lending has been fueled by a confluence of factors, including frauds that led to credit losses at the subprime lender Tricolor Holdings and the auto-parts supplier First Brands.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• assemblage 
• junction