convergence

[ kuhn-vur-juhns ]
See synonyms for convergence on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. an act or instance of converging.

  2. a convergent state or quality.

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

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

  3. Physics.

    • the contraction of a vector field.

    • a measure of this.

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

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

Origin of convergence

1
First recorded in 1705–15; converg(ent) + -ence
  • Also con·ver·gen·cy (for defs. 1-3) .

Other words from convergence

  • non·con·ver·gence, noun
  • non·con·ver·gen·cy, noun
  • re·con·ver·gence, noun

Words Nearby convergence

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use convergence in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for convergence

convergence

/ (kənˈvɜːdʒəns) /


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

  2. concurrence of opinions, results, etc

  1. maths the property or manner of approaching a finite limit, esp of an infinite series: conditional convergence

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

  3. 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

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

  5. the turning of the eyes inwards in order to fixate an object nearer than that previously being fixated: Compare 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

Scientific definitions for convergence

convergence

[ kən-vûrjəns ]


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

  2. 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.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.