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coalesce

verb
co·​a·​lesce | \ ˌkō-ə-ˈles How to pronounce coalesce (audio) \
coalesced; coalescing

Definition of coalesce

intransitive verb

1 : to grow together The edges of the wound coalesced.
2a : to unite into a whole : fuse separate townships have coalesced into a single, sprawling colony— Donald Gould
b : to unite for a common end : join forces people with different points of view coalesce into opposing factions— I. L. Horowitz
3 : to arise from the combination of distinct elements an organized and a popular resistance immediately coalesced— C. C. Menges

transitive verb

: to cause to unite sometimes a book coalesces a public into a mass market— Walter Meade
Other Words from coalesce Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about coalesce

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Other Words from coalesce

coalescence \ ˌkō-​ə-​ˈle-​sᵊn(t)s How to pronounce coalescence (audio) \ noun
coalescent \ ˌkō-​ə-​ˈle-​sᵊnt How to pronounce coalescent (audio) \ adjective

Choose the Right Synonym for coalesce

mix, mingle, commingle, blend, merge, coalesce, amalgamate, fuse mean to combine into a more or less uniform whole. mix may or may not imply loss of each element's identity. mix the salad greens mix a drink mingle usually suggests that the elements are still somewhat distinguishable or separately active. fear mingled with anticipation in my mind commingle implies a closer or more thorough mingling. a sense of duty commingled with a fierce pride drove her blend implies that the elements as such disappear in the resulting mixture. blended several teas to create a balanced flavor merge suggests a combining in which one or more elements are lost in the whole. in his mind reality and fantasy merged coalesce implies an affinity in the merging elements and usually a resulting organic unity. telling details that coalesce into a striking portrait amalgamate implies the forming of a close union without complete loss of individual identities. refugees who were readily amalgamated into the community fuse stresses oneness and indissolubility of the resulting product. a building in which modernism and classicism are fused

Did You Know?

Coalesce unites the prefix co- ("together") and the Latin verb alescere, meaning "to grow." (The words "adolescent" and "adult" also grew from "alescere.") "Coalesce," which first appeared in English in the mid-17th century, is one of a number of verbs in English (along with "mix," "commingle," "merge," and "amalgamate") that refer to the act of combining parts into a whole. In particular, "coalesce" usually implies the merging of similar parts to form a cohesive unit.

Examples of coalesce in a Sentence

a group of young reformers who gradually coalesced into a political movement The ice masses coalesced into a glacier over time.

Recent Examples on the Web

 As per usual, rumors surrounding the next iPhone are starting to coalesce into a consistent set of expectations. — Dieter Bohn, The Verge, "This year’s iPhone should be the last with Lightning," 24 July 2019 With that license, Mr. Chakrabarti has become an unelected symbol of the party’s growing disunity, as Democrats try to coalesce as a party before what promises to be a punishing fight next year for the White House. — Catie Edmondson, New York Times, "Top Ocasio-Cortez Aide Becomes a Symbol of Democratic Division," 13 July 2019 Republicans have yet to coalesce around a candidate in the wake of Ryan's announcement. — David Wright, CNN, "Democratic House candidates hold fundraising edge after 1st quarter," 18 Apr. 2018 Each bubble contains its own set of reactants, which can be coalesced by driving the bubbles together. — Chris Lee, Ars Technica, "Bouncing liquid surface can make bubbles do a stop-start dance," 26 July 2019 Meanwhile, there is a coming young talent wave coalescing in the lowest levels of the minors that has a chance to vault perception of the system forward in the next couple of years. — Alex Speier, BostonGlobe.com, "Evaluating Red Sox’ prospects as trade deadline nears," 12 July 2019 The clothing sector is globally footloose; the car industry is coalescing around regional hubs; and the electronics business remains rooted in China (though Mr Trump’s attack on Huawei, its technology champion, will affect this). — The Economist, "Three industriesSupply chains for different industries are fragmenting in different ways," 11 July 2019 Baltimore’s performing, literary, musical, fine and other world-renowned arts scenes coalesce around the Station North and Mid-Town Belvedere neighborhoods July 19-21 for the 38th Artscape festival. — Sameer Rao, baltimoresun.com, "What to see, hear and do at Artscape 2019," 15 July 2019 Such is today’s fluid European politics, where coalitions coalesce, take effect, then dissolve again. — The Economist, "Europe’s gaseous political alliances," 22 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'coalesce.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of coalesce

circa 1541, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

History and Etymology for coalesce

Latin coalescere, from co- + alescere to grow — more at old

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More Definitions for coalesce

coalesce

verb
How to pronounce coalesce (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of coalesce

formal : to come together to form one group or mass

See the full definition for coalesce in the English Language Learners Dictionary

coalesce

intransitive verb
co·​alesce | \ ˌkō-ə-ˈles

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