coherence

noun

co·​her·​ence kō-ˈhir-ən(t)s How to pronounce coherence (audio) -ˈher- How to pronounce coherence (audio)
1
: the quality or state of cohering: such as
a
: systematic or logical connection or consistency
The essay as a whole lacks coherence.
b
: integration of diverse elements, relationships, or values
"The various parts of this house—discrete in color, in shape, in placement—join together with remarkable coherence."Paul Goldberger
2
: the property of being coherent
a plan that lacks coherence

Examples of coherence in a Sentence

the house has been expanded and remodeled so many times that now it's a jumbled mess that lacks coherence
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The impulse stems from correcting what feels like a false narrative, this is because breakups disrupt not just connection, but also your sense of coherence. Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025 The remarkable thing for me is the level of coherence and alignment among the views of the first three interviewees, despite their different backgrounds and focus areas: roboticist Rodney Brooks; neuroscientist David Eagleman; and AI innovator Yann LeCun. Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025 Assume so or give up your coherence as a technologist. Jaron Lanier, The New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2025 The lack of coherence in premise matches a lack of coherence aesthetically. Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for coherence

Word History

Etymology

coher(ent) + -ence, after Latin cohaerentia

First Known Use

circa 1580, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of coherence was circa 1580

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Coherence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coherence. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on coherence

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!