convergence

[kuh n-vur-juh ns]

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.

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

Related Words for convergence

confluence, meeting, concurrence

Examples from the Web for convergence

Contemporary Examples of convergence

The convergence of these signs lit Morris up like a firecracker.
Powerful Congressman Writes About ‘Fleshy Breasts’
Asawin Suebsaeng
January 7, 2015
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
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
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
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

Historical Examples of convergence

Before him stretched the plateau leading to the convergence of the river and the cliff.
The Night Riders
Ridgwell Cullum
In all this convergence of the militia toward Boston, there was one side current.
The Siege of Boston
Allen French
Wherever there is division of labor, there is association and also convergence of effort.
Creative Evolution
Henri Bergson
At the point of convergence there seemed to be a narrow passage.
Legacy
James H Schmitz
We have hitherto dealt with the road of the Egyptians; we now describe that of the Mesopotamians, up to the point of convergence.
History Of Egypt, Chalda, Syria, Babylonia, And Assyria In The Light Of Recent Discovery
L.W. King and H.R. Hall

British Dictionary definitions for convergence

convergence

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

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

convergence in Medicine

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.

convergence in Science

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.