convolution
noun
con·vo·lu·tion
ˌkän-və-ˈlü-shən 
1
: a form or shape that is folded in curved or tortuous windings
the convolutions of the intestines
2
: one of the irregular ridges on the surface of the brain and especially of the cerebrum of higher mammals
3
: a complication or intricacy of form, design, or structure
… societies in which the convolutions of power and the caprices of the powerful are ever-present dangers to survival.—
Mary Lee Settle
Mary Lee SettleSynonyms
Examples of convolution in a Sentence
I found it hard to follow the convolutions of the book's plot.
a plot full of convolution and confusion
Recent Examples on the Web
Monster’s contrivances and convolutions didn’t all work for me, but the scenes the boys share in the final third are magical.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Dec. 2023
Add a dizzying array of narrative convolutions, coincidences and contrivances and the movie becomes a lot to carry, especially when the tone is supposed to be feather-light.
—Ann Hornaday, Washington Post, 3 Oct. 2023
But never fear: After some pointless convolutions, all three women do eventually go to Lourdes, as does Chrissie, for reasons never clear.
—Jessica Kiang, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2023
For every placement of the kernel, the network would perform a complicated mathematical calculation called a convolution that looked for distinguishing features.
—Steve Nadis, Quanta Magazine, 8 June 2023
Trending Which isn’t to say there’s not a certain gee-whiz fun to be had from Back to the Future Part II, at least for those who can get a kick out of its Heinlein-by-way-of-Amblin convolutions.
—A.a. Dowd, Rolling Stone, 18 June 2023
That’s fitting enough; you’re meant to feel the noose tighten around each character’s neck in turn, though sometimes the tension slackens and the story threatens to collapse under the weight of its many convolutions.
—Justin Chang, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2023
And the convolution of metrics such as the SDGs and new realms of sustainability such as regeneration and circularity further muddy impact storytelling.
—Simon Mainwaring, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2023
But the demand for and mere existence of private companies whose sole mission is to help veterans navigate the process underscores the complexity, convolution, and dysfunction of the VA system.
—Patrick Gleason, Forbes, 5 July 2022
David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Dec. 2023
Add a dizzying array of narrative convolutions, coincidences and contrivances and the movie becomes a lot to carry, especially when the tone is supposed to be feather-light.
—Ann Hornaday, Washington Post, 3 Oct. 2023
But never fear: After some pointless convolutions, all three women do eventually go to Lourdes, as does Chrissie, for reasons never clear.
—Jessica Kiang, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2023
For every placement of the kernel, the network would perform a complicated mathematical calculation called a convolution that looked for distinguishing features.
—Steve Nadis, Quanta Magazine, 8 June 2023
Trending Which isn’t to say there’s not a certain gee-whiz fun to be had from Back to the Future Part II, at least for those who can get a kick out of its Heinlein-by-way-of-Amblin convolutions.
—A.a. Dowd, Rolling Stone, 18 June 2023
That’s fitting enough; you’re meant to feel the noose tighten around each character’s neck in turn, though sometimes the tension slackens and the story threatens to collapse under the weight of its many convolutions.
—Justin Chang, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2023
And the convolution of metrics such as the SDGs and new realms of sustainability such as regeneration and circularity further muddy impact storytelling.
—Simon Mainwaring, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2023
But the demand for and mere existence of private companies whose sole mission is to help veterans navigate the process underscores the complexity, convolution, and dysfunction of the VA system.
—Patrick Gleason, Forbes, 5 July 2022
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'convolution.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near convolution
Cite this Entry
“Convolution.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/convolution. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
convolution
noun
con·vo·lu·tion
ˌkän-və-ˈlü-shən
: one of the uneven ridges on the surface of the brain and especially of the cerebrum of higher mammals
Medical Definition
convolution
noun
con·vo·lu·tion
ˌkän-və-ˈlü-shən
: any of the irregular ridges on the surface of the brain and especially of the cerebrum
called also gyrus
compare sulcusLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
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