coalesce

[ koh-uh-les ]

verb (used without object)

, co·a·lesced, co·a·lesc·ing.

1. to grow together or into one body:

   The two lakes coalesced into one.

   Synonyms: join, combine, unite

2. to unite so as to form one mass, community, etc.:

   The various groups coalesced into a crowd.

   Synonyms: merge, blend, fuse, amalgamate, join, combine, unite

3. to blend or come together:

   Their ideas coalesced into one theory.

verb (used with object)

, co·a·lesced, co·a·lesc·ing.

1. to cause to unite in one body or mass.

coalesce

/ ˌkəʊəˈlɛs /

verb

1. intr to unite or come together in one body or mass; merge; fuse; blend

Derived Forms

• ˌcoaˈlescence, noun
• ˌcoaˈlescent, adjective

Other Words From

• coa·lescence noun
• coa·lescent adjective
• nonco·a·lescence noun
• nonco·a·lescent adjective
• nonco·a·lescing adjective
• unco·a·lescent adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of coalesce¹

First recorded in 1535–45; from Latin coalēscere, equivalent to co- co- + al- (stem of alere “to nourish, make grow”) + -escere -esce

Word History and Origins

Origin of coalesce¹

C16: from Latin coalēscere from co- + alēscere to increase, from alere to nourish

Example Sentences

Once they all connected, a scene began to coalesce around an abandoned church in Athens where the band was living on the cheap.

From Los Angeles Times

When viewed from several feet away, the dots coalesce into a halation of amorphous color.

From Los Angeles Times

But by February 2016, he agreed that concerns had begun to "coalesce" about whether a member of staff was causing deliberate harm.

From BBC

The themes that have recurrently consumed the 84-year-old — the specter of the Spanish Civil War, daughters estranged from fathers with peculiar histories, the merciless march of time — coalesce into the unhurried, poetically rewarding “Close Your Eyes,” his fourth film in 50 years and likely his last.

From Los Angeles Times

Braun saw this as an opportunity to coalesce around shared values and humanity.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• consolidate
• fuse
• integrate
• unite