confluence

[kon-floo-uhns]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR confluence ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a flowing together of two or more streams, rivers, or the like: the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers.

their place of junction: St. Louis is at the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers.

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

a coming together of people or things; concourse.

a crowd or throng; assemblage.

Nearby words

Also con·flux

[kon-fluhks] /ˈkɒn flʌks/.

Origin of confluence

1375–1425; late Middle English (< Middle French) < Late Latin confluentia; see confluent, -ence

Synonyms for confluence

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR confluence ON THESAURUS.COM

4. union, joining, meeting.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for confluence

Near the confluence of these two rivers a tiny bridge spans the gap connecting the Korengal with the Pech.
Heart of Darkness: Into Afghanistan’s Taliban Valley|Matt Trevithick, Daniel Seckman|November 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It may have been a confluence of factors, but going bald eagle became not so much a choice as an expectation.
Waxing: Damned if You Do and Damned if You Don’t: How Pubic Hair Became Political|Emily Shire|April 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A confluence of events so seemingly magical made for a mostly charmed film shoot.
‘Inside Llewyn Davis’ Star Oscar Isaac Is About to Be a Very Big Deal|Kevin Fallon|December 5, 2013|DAILY BEAST
In honor of the confluence of Memorial Day and Shavuot, Open Zion is taking the day off.
Happy Holidays||May 28, 2012|DAILY BEAST

One aspect of how bad the Middle East could get this year lies in the confluence of events in Syria and Iraq.
The Revolt in Syria Could Easily Spread to Other Middle East Countries|Kenneth M. Pollack|January 31, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The part we crossed was about a mile from the confluence, and, as it was now flooded, it seemed upward of half a mile in breadth.
Missionary Travels and Researches in South Africa|David Livingstone
Bidding farewell to Sekeletu, the doctor and his attendants sailed down the river to its confluence with the Chobe.
Great African Travellers|W.H.G. Kingston
Supplied with water by the pools in the Podébodé, we again joined the Zambesi at the confluence of the rivulet.
A Popular Account of Dr. Livingstone's Expedition to the Zambesi and Its Tributaries|David Livingstone
Near the confluence of the Apure with the Orinoco is the town of Caicara, with a population of six or seven hundred souls.
Up the Orinoco and down the Magdalena|H. J. Mozans
He reversed his course and made for the confluence of the Orange and the Vaal.
A Handbook of the Boer War|Gale and Polden, Limited

British Dictionary definitions for confluence

confluence

conflux (ˈkɒnflʌks)

noun

a merging or flowing together, esp of rivers

a gathering together, esp of people

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for confluence

early 15c., from Late Latin confluentia, from Latin confluentem (nominative confluens), present participle of confluere "to flow together," from com- "together" (see com-) + fluere "to flow" (see fluent).

Medicine definitions for confluence