convergence

noun con·ver·gence \ kən-ˈvər-jən(t)s \

Updated on: 14 Apr 2018

Definition of convergence

1 : the act of converging and especially moving toward union or uniformity

the convergence of the three rivers

; especially : coordinated movement of the two eyes so that the image of a single point is formed on corresponding retinal areas

2 : the state or property of being convergent

3 : independent development of similar characters (as of bodily structure of unrelated organisms or cultural traits) often associated with similarity of habits or environment

4 : the merging of distinct technologies, industries, or devices into a unified whole

… offers a variety of services related to the convergence of the Internet and mobile phones.
—Rob Walker

See convergence defined for kids

Examples of convergence in a Sentence

the convergence of the city's major arteries on a single rotary

Recent Examples of convergence from the Web

Bloomberg's Alessandra Migliaccio discusses the convergence of Italy's two main populist forces.

— Bloomberg, "Italy's Populist Forces Near Coalition," 5 Apr. 2018
Good Friday and the start of Passover overlap Friday in what is an infrequent convergence of Christian and Jewish holy holidays.

— carrie napoleon, Post-Tribune, "Christian, Jewish faiths mark significant historical events with Passover, Easter," 29 Mar. 2018
The idea that global engagement and rising prosperity would drive Chinese convergence with Western values was one of the last beliefs shared by all sides in the Washington elite.

— The Economist, "Decades of optimism about China’s rise have been discarded," 1 Mar. 2018
There are further convergences in the film that touch on the global history of slavery and the culture of creolization.

— pelican bomb, NOLA.com, "'World of Zulu' reveals ties between New Orleans, South Africa," 17 Jan. 2018
But this three-bedroom house, designed for two astronomy photographers and positioned to face the magnetic north like the needle of a compass, is a point of convergence.

— latimes.com, "Today: Russia, the Slapdown and the Silence," 27 Mar. 2018
Legal experts agree that Puigdemont's fate will likely be determined by the degree of convergence between German and Spanish law.

— jefferson chase, USA TODAY, "German court extends detention of ex-Catalonian leader Carles Puigdemont," 27 Mar. 2018
One of the biggest success stories to come out of that convergence is percussionist Pedrito Martinez, whose concert this Saturday is already sold out.

— shaun brady, Philly.com, "Cuba Festival at Annenberg brings in Chucho Valdés and rising stars to watch," 19 Mar. 2018
The South by Southwest Festival is a convergence of the music, tech, and film industries.

— refinery29.com, "20 SXSW Movies Directed By Women To Put On Your Radar," 16 Mar. 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of convergence

see converge

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1713

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

convergence Synonyms

Synonyms

confluence, conjunction, convergency, meeting;

Antonyms

divergence;

Other Biology Terms

autochthonous, fecund, homunculus, phylogeny, substrate

Medical Dictionary

convergence

noun con·ver·gence \ kən-ˈvər-jən(t)s \

medical Definition of convergence

1 : an embryonic movement that involves streaming of material from the dorsal and lateral surfaces of the gastrula toward the blastopore and concurrent shifting of lateral materials toward the middorsal line and that is a process fundamental to the establishment of the germ layers

2 : independent development of similar characters (as of body structure in whales and fishes) by animals or plants of different groups that is often associated with similarity of habits or environment

3 : movement of the two eyes so coordinated that the images of a single point fall on corresponding points of the two retinas

4 : overlapping synaptic innervation of a single cell by more than one nerve fiber — compare divergence 2

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