convergence

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

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

Other examples of convergence include the rise of flight among birds, bats, insects, and pterodactyls, and the evolution of opposable thumbs in primates, pandas, and opossums.

— eoin o'carroll, The Christian Science Monitor, "Scientists say ravens display foresight, a trait thought unique to apes," 14 July 2017
The apex of this convergence occurred in late 2008.

— thomas wright, The Atlantic, "The G20 Is Obsolete," 11 July 2017
A new captorhinid reptile from the Lower Permian of Oklahoma showing remarkable dental and mandibular convergence with microsaurian tetrapods.

— darren naish, Scientific American Blog Network, "The Microsaurs of Yore," 7 July 2017
What ensued was the convergence of worst-case scenarios for the Padres.

— dennis lin, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Padres fall short of sweep in rout by Indians," 6 July 2017
A blow-by-blow (literally) account by my colleague Joe DiStefano of the convergence of anti-Trump and pro-Trump rallies in Center City this weekend.

— aubrey whelan, Philly.com, "TRUMPadelphia: Healthcare and the opioid crisis, Christie at the beach, and more," 5 July 2017
Such similarities are due as much to coincidence as convergence, since Cantina Alley was in the works for more than two years before its completion, after facing delays in obtaining city approvals.

— carla meyer, sacbee.com, "A cocktail in a watermelon and killer fish tacos served in an alley? Count us in.," 22 June 2017
Maritime officials and ship operators call the area a convergence zone, where ships coming from the east and west converge with others leaving Tokyo.

— Washington Post, "US warship crash site known for congested nighttime traffic," 21 June 2017
And fewer still are considering the strategic talent implications of this convergence.

— Fortune, "The Accelerating Disruption of China’s Economy," 16 June 2017

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

See Words from the same year

convergence Synonyms

Synonyms

confluence, conjunction, convergency, meeting

Antonyms

divergence

Related Words

combination, combining, connecting, connection, consolidation, coupling, joining, junction, juncture, linking, merging, unification, union

Other Biology Terms

autochthonous, fecund, homunculus, phylogeny, substrate

Medical Dictionary

convergence

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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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