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

• balance
• concinnity
• consonance
• consonancy
• harmony
• orchestration
• proportion
• symmetry
• symphony
• 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

Earlier Claude models typically lasted only one to two hours before losing coherence, Albert said, meaning that the models could only produce useful self-referencing outputs for that long before beginning to output too many errors. —ArsTechnica, 22 May 2025

Meanwhile, findings show that emotional coherence—the ability to regulate and stabilize one’s inner state—can entrain those around us. —Carrie Anne Yu, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025

Joseph Foudy, professor at NYU's Stern School of Business, questioned the coherence of the strategy. —Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025

But the leaders transforming industries are increasingly anchored in something harder to quantify: internal coherence. —Carrie Anne Yu, Forbes.com, 20 May 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