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

… likenesses reflecting shared habits, such as the convergent aquatic adaptations of whales and fish.

—Harriet Ritvo

see also 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

Examples of convergent in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This one being of post-war emancipation, when the convergent forces of wanting to achieve a sun tan and wanting to show some skin became newly acceptable among socially progressive young people. —Daniel Rodgers, Vogue, 28 Dec. 2025

The winter conditions also change significantly along this 145-mile stretch, beginning with freezing temperatures in Bellingham, snow accumulation in the Skagit Valley’s convergent zone and rain throughout the greater Seattle area, often with heavy accumulations that can cause on-road flooding. —Crai S Bower, Outside, 18 Dec. 2025

For Conway Morris, human-level intelligence is a convergent trait that might well appear again given the right conditions. —Big Think, 29 Oct. 2025

Reverse faults, found at convergent boundaries, are responsible for the most powerful quakes—megathrust events—often exceeding magnitude eight and accounting for the majority of global seismic energy release. —Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see converge

First Known Use

1674, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing convergent

• convergent evolution

Rhymes for convergent

• detergent
• divergent
• emergent
• insurgent
• resurgent
• serjeant
• urgent

Kids Definition

convergent

adjective

con·​ver·​gent kən-ˈvər-jənt 

: tending to converge