convergent

adjective con·ver·gent \ kən-ˈvər-jənt \

1 : tending to move toward one point or to approach each other : converging

convergent lines

a tropical cyclone characterized by convergent airflow

2 : exhibiting convergence in form, function, or development

convergent evolution

3 a of an improper integral : having a value that is a real number

b : characterized by having the nth term or the sum of the first n terms approach a finite limit

a convergent sequence

a convergent series

See convergent defined for kids

Recent Examples of convergent from the Web

This looks like a classic case of convergent evolution, but no one has been able to prove the point by demonstrating a benefit derived from it that is connected directly with brood parasitism.

— The Economist, "Convergent evolutionThicker eggshells help cuckoos hatch earlier than their nestmates," 18 Jan. 2018
That gives biologists a tool with which to explore the phenomenon of convergent evolution, in which unrelated lines with similar ways of life evolve similar adaptations that help them to thrive.

— The Economist, "Convergent evolutionThicker eggshells help cuckoos hatch earlier than their nestmates," 18 Jan. 2018
Sometimes two unrelated species can undergo convergent evolution, a process by which two different animals independently evolve a similar trait.

— eva botkin-kowacki, The Christian Science Monitor, "Is the dinosaur family tree becoming a dinosaur?," 3 Nov. 2017
But, whatever the particulars, the discovery Mr Smithwick and Dr Vinther have made is a nice example of convergent evolution, showing that what works today worked in the Cretaceous, too.

— The Economist, "PalaeontologyOne species of dinosaur wore a bandit mask," 26 Oct. 2017
The straight-tusked elephant is now an example of convergent evolution, starting from an ancestor that had more in common with African elephants but becoming anatomically more like Asian elephants.

— brian switek, Scientific American Blog Network, "In Ancient Bones, an Elephant-Size Surprise," 12 June 2017
Together, the two- and three-toed flavors of sloth represent a remarkable case of convergent evolution.

— brian switek, WIRED, "The Sloth’s Evolutionary Secret," 3 Jan. 2012
Just as convergent evolution caused ichthyosaurs and dolphins to look alike, the demands of the aviation industry have nudged aeronautical engineers toward maximum efficiency with little variation.

— jeff wise, Popular Mechanics, "Why All Airliners Look the Same," 28 Feb. 2017
The thylacine is a likely example of convergent evolution, nature’s version of independent invention, Berns says.

— ben panko, Smithsonian, "How Scientists Reconstructed the Brain of a Long-Extinct Beast," 19 Jan. 2017

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