convergence
- 01 C1 Advanced
the act of different things moving toward each other to meet at one point.
the act of moving toward union or a common point of intersection.
Simple“The convergence of the two rivers created a powerful current.”
In context“The geographic convergence of these three trade routes turned the small village into a bustling commercial hub within a decade.”
Antonyms - 02 C1 Advanced
when different types of technology, like phones and cameras, join together into one device.
the merging of distinct technologies, industries, or devices into a unified whole or platform.
Simple“Smartphones are a great example of the convergence of cameras, phones, and computers.”
In context“Digital convergence has fundamentally altered the media landscape, blurring the lines between traditional broadcasting and internet-based streaming services.”
Synonyms - 03 C2 Proficiency
when different animals develop similar features because they live in similar environments.
the independent evolution of similar structures or traits in unrelated species due to similar environmental pressures.
Simple“The wings of bats and birds are a result of evolutionary convergence.”
In context“Biologists cite the streamlined bodies of sharks and dolphins as a classic instance of convergence in aquatic environments.”
Synonymsconvergent evolution - 04 C2 Proficiency
when a sequence of numbers gets closer and closer to a specific value.
the property of an infinite series or sequence approaching a definite limiting value.
Simple“The teacher explained the convergence of the series as the numbers got smaller.”
In context“The mathematician spent months proving the convergence of the algorithm under specific boundary conditions.”
Antonyms - 05 C1 Advanced
the idea that poorer countries' economies will eventually catch up to richer ones.
the hypothesis that per capita incomes in poorer economies tend to grow at faster rates than in richer economies.
Simple“Economic convergence suggests that developing nations will eventually reach the same living standards as wealthy ones.”
In context“The report analyzed whether regional convergence was actually occurring within the European Union or if the wealth gap was widening.”
Synonymscatch up effect - 06 C2 Proficiency
the way your eyes move together to look at something close to you.
the coordinated inward turning of the eyes to focus on a nearby object.
Simple“Reading for a long time can cause eye strain because of constant convergence.”
In context“The optometrist performed a series of tests to evaluate the patient's near-point convergence and binocular coordination.”
“The story of sardines feeding Japan’s war machine illustrates the convergence of technology, environment and imperialism.”
“Two years ago, a convergence of climatic events pushed the price of both beans to multi-decade highs.”
From converge + -ence (after Latin convergentia).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.