convergence

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

Updated on: 12 May 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

That convergence should have set off alarm bells in the minds of journalists when someone decided, immediately after Cohen’s office was raided, to reveal the existence of an NDA between Broidy and Bechard.

— paul campos, Daily Intelligencer, "Theory: Playboy Model Who Got $1.6 Million Had Affair With Trump, Not Broidy," 8 May 2018
Technology is fickle in this fishing village at the convergence of the famous river, Gulf and Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge.

— nancy moreland, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Explore Florida's Dixie County: Town of Suwannee defies the Digital Age," 6 May 2018
Scientists say no one thing caused the ice to melt so far so fast, but rather a convergence of many different factors, connected to long-term climate change and this year's weather pattern.

— author: jason samenow, Anchorage Daily News, "‘Fallen off a cliff’: Scientists have never observed so little ice in the Bering Sea in spring," 4 May 2018
But some auto manufacturers preparing for the convergence of two important trends—ride sharing and driverless cars—have a decidedly less rosy view.

— nancy a. nichols, The Atlantic, "Cupholders Are Everywhere," 22 Apr. 2018
But the convergence of luck and wisdom that unfolded in Pennsylvania’s southwest corner isn’t a given in other districts.

— Time, "Democrats Shouldn't Get Too Cocky About Their Big Win in Trump Country," 14 Mar. 2018
But taken together, these stories are an anthem to interaction, the convergence that occurs when a good idea goes viral.

— Seventeen, "Taylor Swift, Emma Watson and Malala Yousafzai Top TIME's 100 Most Influential People List," 17 Apr. 2015
The convergence is thanks largely to Laura Vinroot Poole, who's throwing a huge party on Friday at a swanky farm outside of Charlotte to mark the 20th anniversary of her boutique, Capitol.

— cristina b bolling, charlotteobserver, "Follow fashion? You'll be stunned by the list of VIPs coming to Charlotte this weekend. | Charlotte Observer," 24 Apr. 2018
The Saudi courtship of Russia reflects a convergence of interests between the world’s two largest oil exporters as the output pact between OPEC and non-OPEC producers has spurred a recovery in crude prices.

— grant smith, Houston Chronicle, "OPEC, Russia set talks to maintain output cuts," 18 Apr. 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

—