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confluence

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noun con·flu·ence \ ˈkän-ˌflü-ən(t)s , kən-ˈflü- \

Definition of confluence

1 :a coming or flowing together, meeting, or gathering at one point
  • a happy confluence of weather and scenery
  • a confluence of cultures
2 a :the flowing together of two or more streams
b :the place of meeting of two streams
  • the Mississippi River's confluence with the Missouri River
c :the combined stream formed by conjunction

See confluence defined for English-language learners

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Examples of confluence in a Sentence

  1. the Mississippi River's confluence with the Missouri River

  2. a happy confluence of beautiful weather and spectacular scenery during our vacation

Recent Examples of confluence from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'confluence.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Did You Know?

The joining of rivers—as at Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, where the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers flow together spectacularly—was the original meaning of confluence, and in its later meanings we still hear a strong echo of the physical merging of waters. So today we can speak of a confluence of events, a confluence of interests, a confluence of cultures, and so on, from which something important often emerges.

Origin and Etymology of confluence

see confluent

confluence Synonyms

Synonyms
convergence, conjunction, convergency, meeting
Antonyms
divergence
Related Words
combination, combining, connecting, connection, consolidation, coupling, joining, junction, juncture, linking, merging, unification, union

CONFLUENCE Defined for English Language Learners

confluence

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noun

Definition of confluence for English Language Learners

  • : a place where two rivers or streams join to become one

  • : a situation in which two things come together or happen at the same time

Learn More about confluence

  1. See words that rhyme with confluence Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for confluence Spanish Central: Translation of confluence Nglish: Translation of confluence for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of confluence for Arabic speakers

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Examples: confluence in a Sentence
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