convergence

[ kuhn-vur-juhns ]

noun

1. an act or instance of converging.
2. a convergent state or quality.
3. the degree or point at which lines, objects, etc., converge.
4. Ophthalmology. a coordinated turning of the eyes to bear upon a near point.
5. Physics.
   1. the contraction of a vector field.
   2. a measure of this.
6. Meteorology. a net flow of air into a given region. Compare divergence ( def 2 ).
7. Biology. similarity of form or structure caused by environment rather than heredity.

convergence

/ kənˈvɜːdʒəns /

noun

1. Also calledconvergency the act, degree, or a point of converging
2. concurrence of opinions, results, etc
3. maths the property or manner of approaching a finite limit, esp of an infinite series

   conditional convergence

4. the combining of different forms of electronic technology, such as data processing and word processing converging into information processing
5. Also calledconvergent evolution the evolutionary development of a superficial resemblance between unrelated animals that occupy a similar environment, as in the evolution of wings in birds and bats
6. meteorol an accumulation of air in a region that has a greater inflow than outflow of air, often giving rise to vertical air currents See also Intertropical Convergence Zone
7. the turning of the eyes inwards in order to fixate an object nearer than that previously being fixated Compare divergence

convergence

/ kən-vûr′jəns /

1. Mathematics.
   The property or manner of approaching a limit, such as a point, line, or value.
2. Biology.
   The evolution of superficially similar structures in unrelated species as they adapt to similar environments. Examples of convergence are the development of fins independently in both fish and whales and of wings in insects, birds, and bats.
3. Biology.
   Also called convergent evolution
4. Biology.
   Compare divergence

Other Words From

• noncon·vergence noun
• noncon·vergen·cy noun
• recon·vergence noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of convergence¹

First recorded in 1705–15; converg(ent) + -ence

Example Sentences

He wrote the foreword to a dystopian French climate-focused analysis called “Convergence of Catastrophes,” which predicts an era of unprecedented migration and political destabilization.

From Salon

The day they spent, exhausted together on the crossroads of here and gone, is the kind of convergence they make movies about, so we forget it really happened.

From Los Angeles Times

“It was the perfect convergence of forces,” he said, in 2009’s moving reminiscence after Jackson’s death.

From Los Angeles Times

Trump symbolized the convergence of politics, entertainment and internet power — a spectacle that produced an endless stream of memes.

From Los Angeles Times

As the authors of one 2016 paper on convergence at both the molecular and the more observable, morphological level put it, “convergence is caused by either repeated adaptations of different evolutionary lineages to similar environmental challenges or chance.”

From Salon