confluence

American  

[kon-floo-uhns] / ˈkɒn flu əns /

Also conflux

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.

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confluence British  

/ ˈkɒnflʊəns, ˈkɒnflʌks /

noun

1. a merging or flowing together, esp of rivers

2. a gathering together, esp of people

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confluence Scientific  

/ kŏn′flo̅o̅-əns /

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.

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Etymology

Origin of confluence

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

But in Mark Oppenheimer’s “Judy Blume: A Life,” her meteoric rise appears fueled by a confluence of fortune that would have been unlikely at any other moment.

From The Wall Street Journal

“A confluence of headwinds—even if each individually is not strong enough to turn the cycle—can take a sluggish economy and make it a recessionary one.”

From Barron's

“A confluence of challenges has been weighing on the U.S. equity market,” said Lori Calvasina, head of U.S. equity strategy at RBC Capital Markets.

From Barron's

But in this case, a confluence of other factors is adding to the squeeze.

From Barron's

Where tall acacias once cast cool shade over a wetland just upstream from the confluence of the Blue and White Nile, barren ground now lies exposed, criss-crossed by people gathering whatever wood remains.

From Barron's

Related Words

• assemblage
• junction