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View synonyms for cohesion

cohesion

[ koh-hee-zhuhn ]

noun

  1. the act or state of cohering, uniting, or sticking together.
  2. Physics. the molecular force between particles within a body or substance that acts to unite them. Compare adhesion ( def 4 ).
  3. Botany. the congenital union of one part with another.
  4. Linguistics. the property of unity in a written text or a segment of spoken discourse that stems from links among its surface elements, as when words in one sentence are repeated in another, and especially from the fact that some words or phrases depend for their interpretation upon material in preceding or following text, as in the sequence Be assured of this. Most people do not want to fight. However, they will do so when provoked, where this refers to the two sentences that follow, they refers back to most people, do so substitutes for the preceding verb fight, and however relates the clause that follows to the preceding sentence. Compare coherence ( def 5 ).


cohesion

/ kəʊˈhiːʒən /

noun

  1. the act or state of cohering; tendency to unite
  2. physics the force that holds together the atoms or molecules in a solid or liquid, as distinguished from adhesion
  3. botany the fusion in some plants of flower parts, such as petals, that are usually separate


cohesion

/ kō-hēzhən /

  1. The force of attraction that holds molecules of a given substance together. It is strongest in solids, less strong in liquids, and least strong in gases. Cohesion of molecules causes drops to form in liquids (as when liquid mercury is poured on a piece of glass), and causes condensing water vapor to form the droplets that make clouds.
  2. Compare adhesion


cohesion

  1. The molecular ( see molecule ) attraction or joining of the surfaces of two pieces of the same substance. ( Compare adhesion .)


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Other Words From

  • co·hesion·less adjective
  • inter·co·hesion noun
  • nonco·hesion noun

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Word History and Origins

Origin of cohesion1

First recorded in 1670–80; variant of cohaesion, from Latin cohaes(us) “stuck together” (past participle of cohaerēre “to stick, cling together”; cohere ) + -iō -ion

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Word History and Origins

Origin of cohesion1

C17: from Latin cohaesus stuck together, past participle of cohaerēre to cohere

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Example Sentences

He wondered aloud about the football team dinner at the hotel the night before the home game, a long-held ritual among big-time college football programs seeking cohesion and focus.

As she strives to build cohesion, there’s at least one enthusiastic hire Boler Davis can claim credit for.

From Fortune

The cohesion and camaraderie that we relied on in the acute phase is needed now more than ever.

Certain rituals, such as singing and dancing together, are particularly good at amplifying group cohesion and a spirit of generosity.

Fourteenth century scholar Ibn Khaldūn used the term asabiyah, Arabic for solidarity, to describe the social cohesion that emerges from engaging in collective rituals.

“Regardless of any tactical setbacks, the real issue is going to be political cohesion in Afghanistan,” he said.

The more socially conservative libertarian-conservatives worry about family cohesion and erosion of religious belief.

It destroys not just forest, but also small farms, community cohesion, and water quality.

With Do It Again, is that cohesion musical, sonic, or thematic?

For most voters, internal party cohesion hardly seemed to be the most pressing issue amid a slew of sleaze allegations.

The rapid spread of the revolt was not a whit less marvelous than its lack of method or cohesion.

The people on the eastern side have always strongly opposed anything approaching governmental cohesion with the other side.

The cohesion of these tribes into states was a slow process; the adoption of a general system of government still slower.

There is a common inheritance of memories that never lose their power of cohesion where love and friendship reign in families.

The cohesion of the liquid explains it, as our young friend here has said.

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