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

The combat scenes, frequently pitting Latif’s sharpened steel against more popular American weaponry, are staged with whirling verve, wit and, best of all, balletic coherence. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 14 Sep. 2026

Smoothly edited by Kossakovsky-regular Ainara Vera, Holy Wood Dust gains a stronger semblance of coherence by the generous use of classical music alongside Adrian Berenguer’s bespoke original soundtrack. — Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2026

Under the new architecture, that number rises to 16, while a single coherence domain could encompass as many as 960 accelerators. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 8 Sep. 2026

The broader lesson for business leaders is about strategic coherence. — Sindhu Bhaskar, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 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