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 of coherence

• 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

Not as a task router or another dashboard but as the coordination layer responsible for maintaining coherence between systems, agents, decisions, data and people over time. —Doug Shannon, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026

Curriculum providers and technology companies are beginning to recognize that coherence matters. —Wyles Daniel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 June 2026

Its lack of coherence, however, will not prevent it from causing staggering damage to the US scientific system. —ArsTechnica, 29 May 2026

There’s a case that effectiveness comes from coherence rather than scale. —Rolling Stone Culture Council, Rolling Stone, 28 May 2026

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