convergence

[ kuh n-vur-juh ns ]

/ kənˈvɜr dʒəns /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR convergence ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

an act or instance of converging.

a convergent state or quality.

the degree or point at which lines, objects, etc., converge.

Ophthalmology. a coordinated turning of the eyes to bear upon a near point.

Physics.

the contraction of a vector field.
a measure of this.

Meteorology. a net flow of air into a given region.Compare divergence(def 2).

Biology. similarity of form or structure caused by environment rather than heredity.

RELATED WORDS

confluence, meeting, concurrence

Nearby words

Also con·ver·gen·cy (for defs 1–3).

Origin of convergence

First recorded in 1705–15; converg(ent) + -ence

Related formsnon·con·ver·gence, nounnon·con·ver·gen·cy, nounre·con·ver·gence, noun

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

Examples from the Web for convergence

The convergence of these signs lit Morris up like a firecracker.
Powerful Congressman Writes About ‘Fleshy Breasts’|Asawin Suebsaeng|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Republican political operatives say the gains the GOP is set to make are due to a convergence of causes.
Return of the Northeastern Republican|David Freedlander|November 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But regardless of their different lenses, she said, “there seems to be a convergence of interests” between the two sides.
Koch Brothers Take On Camo-Wearing Cops|Tim Mak|August 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
However frightful Nader found it, the concept intrigued him that “convergence” could be found among disparate groups.
Ralph Nader and Grover Norquist: Washington’s Most Unlikely Bromance|Eleanor Clift|May 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Convergence is also gathering force in a shared revulsion for the consequences of the war on drugs.
Citizen Nader Is Still on the Case|Harold Evans|May 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
That which first attracted his attention was the convergence of the massive walls to the southeast.
Deerfoot in The Mountains|Edward S. Ellis
In the metropolis of commerce the point of convergence was the Exchange; in the metropolis of fashion the Palace.
The History of England from the Accession of James II.|Thomas Babington Macaulay
A result seems attainable by means of simple tenotomy on both sides, which is expressed by prism 20° in the trial of convergence.
Schweigger on Squint|C. Schweigger
In other words, the original series may legitimately be differentiated at any interior point z0 of its circle of convergence.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 3|Various
Yet this convergence follows from the physical properties of light and a lens, and is physically demonstrated in a camera.
Essays in Experimental Logic|John Dewey

British Dictionary definitions for convergence

convergence

/ (kənˈvɜːdʒəns) /

noun

Also called: convergency the act, degree, or a point of converging

concurrence of opinions, results, etc

maths the property or manner of approaching a finite limit, esp of an infinite seriesconditional convergence

the combining of different forms of electronic technology, such as data processing and word processing converging into information processing

Also called: convergent evolution the evolutionary development of a superficial resemblance between unrelated animals that occupy a similar environment, as in the evolution of wings in birds and bats

meteorol an accumulation of air in a region that has a greater inflow than outflow of air, often giving rise to vertical air currentsSee also Intertropical Convergence Zone

the turning of the eyes inwards in order to fixate an object nearer than that previously being fixatedCompare divergence (def. 6)

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 convergence

convergence

1713, from converge + -ence. Related: Convergent. Convergent evolution was in use among biologists by 1890.

Medicine definitions for convergence

convergence

[ kən-vûr′jəns ]

n.

The process of coming together or the state of having come together toward a common point.

Such a gathering at a single preganglionic motor neuron of several postganglionic motor neurons.

The coordinated turning of the eyes inward to focus on an object at close range.

The adaptive evolution of superficially similar structures, such as the wings of birds and insects, in unrelated species subjected to similar environments.convergent evolution

The movement of cells from the periphery of the embryo toward the midline during gastrulation.

Related formscon•verge′ v.con•ver′gent adj.

Science definitions for convergence

convergence

[ kən-vûr′jəns ]

Mathematics The property or manner of approaching a limit, such as a point, line, or value.

Biology The evolution of superficially similar structures in unrelated species as they adapt to similar environments. Examples of convergence are the development of fins independently in both fish and whales and of wings in insects, birds, and bats. Also called convergent evolution Compare divergence.