fusion

noun

fu·​sion ˈfyü-zhᵊn 

often attributive

1

: the act or process of liquefying or rendering plastic by heat

2

: a union by or as if by melting: such as

a

: a merging of diverse, distinct, or separate elements into a unified whole

Opera is a fusion of several arts.

b

: a political partnership : coalition

a fusion of Democrats and independent Republicans

—New York Times

c

: popular music combining different styles (such as jazz and rock)

d

: food prepared using techniques and ingredients of two or more ethnic or regional cuisines

a restaurant that specializes in Indian-Chinese fusion

called also fusion cuisine

3

: the union of atomic nuclei to form heavier nuclei resulting in the release of enormous quantities of energy when certain light elements unite

nuclear fusion

Synonyms

• admixture
• alloy
• amalgam
• amalgamation
• blend
• cocktail
• combination
• composite
• compound
• conflation
• emulsion
• intermixture
• meld
• mix
• mixture
• synthesis

Example Sentences

a fusion of different methods

a fusion of musical styles

The show is a fusion of news and entertainment.

The fusion of different cultural influences is evident in her sculpture.

Recent Examples on the Web

Rels’ music is a fusion of R&B and urban/pop, with highly relatable lyrics and memorable melodies. —Jessica Roiz, Billboard, 25 May 2023

Gavin describes his sound as a fusion of Southern rock, outlaw country, Americana, and classic folk. —Lauren Daley, BostonGlobe.com, 15 May 2023

When the music of Cuba and Puerto Rico came to New York in the 1950s, there was a fusion of New York jazz and the Caribbean. —Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 May 2023

Montagut has transformed the 1,292-square-foot, two-bedroom space into a fusion of Gilded Age Paris and his other geographic touchstone: Normandy, about an hour and a half west by car. —Nancy Hass Ilyes Griyeb, New York Times, 9 May 2023

With another Davis sideman, keyboardist Joe Zawinul, Shorter co-founded the fusion unit Weather Report, which released several highly successful albums from 1971-86. —Chris Morris, Variety, 2 Mar. 2023

Part of that effort should identify steps to sustain fusion cells and interstate networks of Covid-19 response collaboration, such as the State and Territorial Alliance for Testing. —Beth Cameron, STAT, 27 Feb. 2023

But co-writers Zach Baylin and Keenan Coogler’s script borrows enough elements from Stallone’s Rocky II and John G. Avildsen’s Rocky V that the movie often feels both like a remake and a fusion that’s greater than the sum of its parts. —Charles Pulliam-moore, The Verge, 24 Feb. 2023

The restaurant features gorgeous views of the Gulf of Mexico with an impressive Asian fusion menu. —Shea Peters, Travel + Leisure, 11 Feb. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin fūsiōn-, fūsiō "process of pouring, casting of molten metal," going back to Latin, "process of pouring, effusion," from fud-, variant stem of fundere "to pour, shed, cast (liquid metal)" (Medieval Latin also, "to melt down, make liquid") + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at found entry 5

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing fusion

• nuclear fusion

• nuclear fusion

Kids Definition

fusion

noun

fu·​sion ˈfyü-zhən 

1

: the act or process of melting or making fluid by heat

2

: union by or as if by melting

3

: the union of light atomic nuclei to form heavier nuclei resulting in the release of enormous quantities of energy

Medical Definition

fusion

noun

fu·​sion ˈfyü-zhən 

often attributive

1

a

: the act or process of liquefying or rendering plastic by heat

b

: the liquid or plastic state induced by heat

2

: a union by or as if by melting together: as

a

: a merging of diverse elements into a unified whole

specifically : the blending of retinal images in binocular vision

b

: a combination of ingredients achieved by heating and mixing together

c

(1)

: a blend of sensations, perceptions, ideas, or attitudes such that the component elements can seldom be identified by introspective analysis

(2)

: the perception of light from a source that is intermittent above a critical frequency as if the source were continuous

called also flicker fusion

compare flicker

d

: the surgical immobilization of a joint see spinal fusion

3

: the union of atomic nuclei to form heavier nuclei resulting in the release of enormous quantities of energy when certain light elements unite

called also nuclear fusion

fusional

-ᵊl 

adjective