cohesive

[ koh-hee-siv ]

adjective

1. characterized by or causing cohesion:

   a cohesive agent.

2. cohering or tending to cohere; well-integrated; unified:

   a cohesive organization.

3. Physics. of or relating to the molecular force within a body or substance acting to unite its parts.

Other Words From

• co·he·sive·ly adverb
• co·he·sive·ness noun
• non·co·he·sive adjective
• un·co·he·sive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of cohesive¹

First recorded in 1720–30; cohes(ion) + -ive

Example Sentences

How did their arguments and the underlying social structure form a cohesive whole?

From Salon

You describe the Black American liberal tradition as a cohesive philosophical framework with six key elements.

From Salon

But New Zealand, who have played nine Tests - including the Rugby Championship - since Ireland's last outing, looked sharper and more cohesive, and would have been frustrated with only a three-point half-time lead.

From BBC

The report highlights a number of issues in the complex lower-limb reconstruction unit at GOSH, including "a lack of a cohesive, united and functional team and department" compounded "by a lack of direction and effective management and leadership".

From BBC

Ten Hag's decision to revert back to the veteran duo of 36-year-old Jonny Evans and Harry Maguire to stem the tide against Aston Villa spoke volumes about the problems he has had making United any sort of cohesive unit.

From BBC

Related Words

• close-knit
• united