# concurrency

CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/concurrency
Updated: 2026-07-22

## Definition

the fact of two or more things happening at the exact same time. In computing, it describes a system's ability to handle multiple tasks at once.

For teachers: the simultaneous occurrence of multiple events or processes. In computer science, refers to the execution of several instruction sequences at the same time, often involving shared resources.

## Examples

- The concurrency of the two events was a strange coincidence.
- The software is designed for high concurrency, allowing thousands of users to access the database simultaneously without any lag.
- Managing data integrity becomes significantly more difficult as the level of concurrency increases, necessitating robust locking mechanisms to prevent conflicting updates to the same record.

## Usage notes

- Often used in technical contexts like computing, law, or mathematics to describe overlapping timelines.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.