# concurrent

/kənˈkɝənt/ (US) · /kənkˈʌɹənt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/concurrent
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. happening at the same time

adjective · CEFR C1 · Academic · Formal

happening or existing at the same time as something else.

For teachers: occurring, existing, or done at the same time; simultaneous.

- The prison sentences for the two crimes will be concurrent, so he will serve them at the same time.
- The study found that the rise in local temperatures was concurrent with a significant decrease in annual rainfall over the last decade.

### 2. computing tasks

adjective · CEFR C1 · Technical

describes computer programs or tasks that run at the same time instead of one after another.

For teachers: relating to a system where multiple sequences of operations are executed in overlapping time periods.

- The server is designed to handle thousands of concurrent users without slowing down.
- Implementing concurrent processing allowed the application to perform background data synchronisation while maintaining a responsive user interface.

Usage: Often used to describe threads, processes, or users accessing a database.

### 3. meeting at a point

adjective · CEFR C2 · Technical

describes lines that all meet or cross at the same point.

For teachers: meeting or tending to meet at a single point.

- In this triangle, the three medians are concurrent at a single point called the centroid.
- The architect ensured that the primary structural lines were concurrent at the apex to distribute the weight of the dome evenly.

## Examples

- The two meetings are concurrent.
- The software runs concurrent tasks to save time.
- The project faced concurrent challenges in funding and staffing that required immediate strategic adjustments.

---

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.