confluence

[ kon-floo-uhns ]

noun

1. a flowing together of two or more streams, rivers, or the like:

   the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers.

2. their place of junction:

   St. Louis is at the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers.

3. a body of water formed by the flowing together of two or more streams, rivers, or the like.
4. a coming together of people or things; concourse.

   Synonyms: meeting, union

5. a crowd or throng; assemblage.

confluence

/ ˈkɒnflʊəns; ˈkɒnflʌks /

noun

1. a merging or flowing together, esp of rivers
2. a gathering together, esp of people

confluence

/ kŏn′flo̅o̅-əns /

1. A flowing together of two or more streams or two or more glaciers.
2. The point of juncture of such streams or glaciers.
3. The combined stream or glacier formed by this juncture.

Word History and Origins

Origin of confluence¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Middle French, from Late Latin confluentia, from Latin confluent-, stem of confluēns “flowing together” ( confluent ) + -ia -ia

Example Sentences

Thrust into the limelight by a confluence of nuptial relations and the U.S. election result, Boulos has become a conversation topic across the region on social media and television talk shows.

From Los Angeles Times

Delhi and northern states annually face smog during the winter due to a confluence of dropping temperatures, smoke, dust, low wind speeds, vehicle emissions and crop stubble burning.

From BBC

It was a hint of things to come, but once again, a confluence of events put Valenzuela in the spotlight.

From Los Angeles Times

My son is a private citizen, but the unusual and violent reaction to his autistic spelling shows similar confluences of eager internet sleuths ready to treat a seven-second clip as a Zapruder film.

From Salon

There was a confluence of interests here, no doubt.

From BBC

Related Words

• assemblage
• junction