coherence

noun

co·​her·​ence kō-ˈhir-ən(t)s How to pronounce coherence (audio) -ˈher- How to pronounce coherence (audio)
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Elliot — a misfit yearning for coherence and connection; a cog raging against the machine that owns him — rebooted the alienated hero to electrifying effect. Lauren Huff, EW.com, 4 July 2025 Participants concluded that lasting success would require addressing deeper issues beyond infrastructure—social equity, environmental sustainability, and regulatory coherence. Vivian Toh, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025 In isolated test devices, IBM has managed to push average coherence times to 2 milliseconds but translating that to larger chips is not straightforward. IEEE Spectrum, 10 June 2025 To live in community with a place creates a sense of collective coherence, to use Hübl’s term. Bridget Crocker june 6, Literary Hub, 6 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for coherence

Word History

Etymology

coher(ent) + -ence, after Latin cohaerentia

First Known Use

circa 1580, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of coherence was circa 1580

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Cite this Entry

“Coherence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coherence. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.

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