convergence

noun

con·​ver·​gence kən-ˈvər-jən(t)s 

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

a

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

• confluence
• conjunction
• convergency
• meeting

Examples of convergence in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

The vert industry swung back up right before the turn of the millennium, catapulted to national prominence like never before by the convergence of the X Games, Hawk’s groundbreaking 900, and the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater video game series that followed shortly after. —Zach Harris, Rolling Stone, 6 Aug. 2024

The six-acre site in historic downtown marks the convergence of the Neuse and Trent Rivers, and is a popular gathering space that includes two boat launches, grills, a playground, picnic tables, and a fishing pier. —Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 2 Aug. 2024

Social inflation arises from the convergence of various social and economic forces: desensitization to big numbers, third-party investors in litigation, and more. —Jason Ma, Fortune, 2 July 2024

In this case, showing convergence came down to comparing teeth and jaws of multiple ancestors of the contemporary walrus, Odobenus rosmarus. —Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 14 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

see converge

First Known Use

1670, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing convergence

• absolute convergence

Kids Definition

convergence

noun

con·​ver·​gence kən-ˈvər-jən(t)s 

: the act or condition of converging

Medical Definition

convergence

noun

con·​ver·​gence kən-ˈvər-jən(t)s 

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

converge

-ˈvərj 

verb

converged; converging

convergent

-ˈvər-jənt 

adjective