coherence

noun

co·​her·​ence kō-ˈhir-ən(t)s  -ˈher- 

1

: the quality or state of cohering: such as

a

: systematic or logical connection or consistency

The essay as a whole lacks coherence.

b

: integration of diverse elements, relationships, or values

"The various parts of this house—discrete in color, in shape, in placement—join together with remarkable coherence."

—Paul Goldberger

2

: the property of being coherent

a plan that lacks coherence

Synonyms

• symmetry
• orchestration
• proportion
• correlation
• harmony
• unity

Examples of coherence in a Sentence

the house has been expanded and remodeled so many times that now it's a jumbled mess that lacks coherence

Recent Examples on the Web

Everything surrounding you reflected his greatness and strong style coherence. —Andrea Onate, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2025

This explains why the model can maintain consistency for several minutes but struggles with full 360-degree rotations—small errors in pattern matching accumulate over many frames until the geometric constraints can no longer maintain coherence. —ArsTechnica, 3 Sep. 2025

Intelligence emerges from states that exist between absolute certainty and random guessing through the combination of coherence, interference and ambiguity. —Sadhasivam Mohanadas, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025

Although the e-tron GT set the bar high, Audi’s model range has been light on coherence and drama. —Jason Barlow, Wired News, 2 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

coher(ent) + -ence, after Latin cohaerentia

First Known Use

circa 1580, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for coherence

• adherence
• appearance
• preclearance
• clearance
• disappearance
• incoherence
• interference
• perseverance
• reappearance
• noninterference