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The Latin verb haerēre has shown remarkable stick-to-itiveness in influencing the English lexicon, which is fitting for a word that means "to be closely attached; to stick." Among its descendants are adhere (literally meaning "to stick"), adhere’s relative adhesive (a word for sticky substances), inhere (meaning "to belong by nature or habit"), and even hesitate (which implies remaining stuck in place before taking action). In Latin, haerēre teamed up with the prefix co- to form cohaerēre, which means "to stick together." Cohaerēre is the ancestor of cohesive, a word borrowed into English in the early 18th century to describe something that sticks together literally (such as dough or mud) or figuratively (such as a society or sports team).
Examples of cohesive in a Sentence
Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Oct. 2025
The challenge for Giraldez will be moulding all of the talent at his disposal into a cohesive unit.
—Megan Feringa, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
While the parents might prefer a more cohesive plot or characters that convey emotional depth, teens and tweens should be captivated by the film’s imagery.
—Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 7 Oct. 2025
The children, having a happy and balanced upbringing, will ensure a robust, cohesive institution.
—Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cohesive
Cite this Entry
“Cohesive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cohesive. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
cohesive
adjective
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