convergence

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

3a evolutionary biology : independent development of similar traits or features (as of body structure or behavior) in unrelated or distantly related species or lineages : convergent evolution The second mechanism, also well established, is convergence—in which separate organisms, such as birds and bats, independently develop a similar trait or behavior (wings, say) even though they did not inherit that structure from a common ancestor.— Ann Gibbons

b : the independent development of similarities between separate cultures Indo-Europeanists often find it difficult to know whether they have to deal with cultural characteristics that have been borrowed or inherited, or are the product merely of a convergence …— Boris Oguibénine

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

Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about convergence

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Synonyms & Antonyms for convergence

Synonyms

Antonyms

divergence

Examples of convergence in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web Zepeda also notes another important historical convergence in El Bajío, where metals and minerals such as copper were mined. — Washington Post, "Learn to make cajeta, a Mexican confection with multilayered sweetness and history," 12 Apr. 2021 What makes such gains possible is a historic convergence of factors that could break decades of political stalemate and restore the government’s role as a major force in addressing national problems. — Don Lee Staff Writer, Los Angeles Times, "Biden’s economic plan calls for much bigger government role. Will it work?," 31 Mar. 2021 That gap of half a percentage point is the lowest on record, and would mean Korea’s convergence with the U.S. is slowing to a crawl. — Mike Bird, WSJ, "Korea’s Big Economic Conundrum: Mo Money, Mo Problems," 12 Mar. 2021 Yet nearly 80% of nonconverged organizations admit that convergence would strengthen their overall security function. — John Scimone, Forbes, "Four Steps For Implementing A Converged Security Organization," 4 Mar. 2021 Democrats in a rare convergence with President Trump favor the boost. — Chronicle Staff, SFChronicle.com, "Coronavirus updates from the Bay Area: Dec. 24-30," 1 Jan. 2021 When two conversational styles become more similar, the accommodation is called convergence. — Melissa Mohr, The Christian Science Monitor, "Conversation starter: Why we mirror speech," 6 Apr. 2021 In a successful conversation, the speakers find the Goldilocks level of convergence – neither too much nor too little. — Melissa Mohr, The Christian Science Monitor, "Conversation starter: Why we mirror speech," 6 Apr. 2021 There’s been this convergence over the past year—and even going back before this past year—but really culminating with the death of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter protests. — Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, "The History of Anti-Asian-American Violence," 25 Mar. 2021

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.

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Last Updated

7 May 2021

Cite this Entry

“Convergence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/convergence. Accessed 15 May. 2021.

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More Definitions for convergence

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 sense 2

Other Words from convergence

converge \ -ˈvərj

\ verb converged; converging

convergent \ -ˈvər-jənt

\ adjective