CONVERGENCE

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does convergence mean? 

• CONVERGENCE (noun)
  The noun CONVERGENCE has 4 senses:

1. the occurrence of two or more things coming together

2. the approach of an infinite series to a finite limit

3. a representation of common ground between theories or phenomena

4. the act of converging (coming closer)

  Familiarity information: CONVERGENCE used as a noun is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• CONVERGENCE (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The occurrence of two or more things coming together

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural events

Hypernyms ("convergence" is a kind of...):

happening; natural event; occurrence; occurrent (an event that happens)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "convergence"):

encounter; meeting (a casual or unexpected convergence)

Derivation:

converge (move or draw together at a certain location)

converge (be adjacent or come together)

convergent (tending to come together from different directions)

Sense 2

Meaning:

The approach of an infinite series to a finite limit

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Synonyms:

convergence; convergency

Hypernyms ("convergence" is a kind of...):

series ((mathematics) the sum of a finite or infinite sequence of expressions)

Antonym:

divergence (an infinite series that has no limit)

Derivation:

converge (approach a limit as the number of terms increases without limit)

Sense 3

Meaning:

A representation of common ground between theories or phenomena

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Synonyms:

convergence; intersection; overlap

Context example:

there was no overlap between their proposals

Hypernyms ("convergence" is a kind of...):

internal representation; mental representation; representation (a presentation to the mind in the form of an idea or image)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "convergence"):

crossroads (a point where a choice must be made)

interface (the overlap where two theories or phenomena affect each other or have links with each other)

Sense 4

Meaning:

The act of converging (coming closer)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

convergence; convergency; converging

Hypernyms ("convergence" is a kind of...):

connection; connexion; joining (the act of bringing two things into contact (especially for communication))

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "convergence"):

coming together; meeting; merging (the act of joining together as one)

Derivation:

converge (move or draw together at a certain location)

convergent (tending to come together from different directions)

 Context examples 

The convergence of these pathways at the level of the CREB/CRE transcriptional pathway may increase expression of a family of genes required for late-phase LTP (L-LTP).

(Long-Term Potentiation Pathway, NCI Thesaurus/KEGG)

A mixing parameter typically giving a degree of smoothing used, or a relaxation parameter defining a rate of convergence.

(Lambda, NCI Thesaurus)

The convergence of these pathways to block apoptosis may enhance the IGF-1R response.

(IGF1R Antiapoptosis Pathway, NCI Thesaurus/BIOCARTA)

This is a creative, and very useful, convergence of scientific disciplines.

(Facial recognition technique could improve hail forecasts, National Science Foundation)

A component of the biliary duct system created by the convergence of the left and right hepatic ducts.

(Common hepatic duct, NCI Thesaurus)