divergence

noun

di·​ver·​gence də-ˈvər-jən(t)s 

dī-

1

a

: a drawing apart (as of lines extending from a common center)

b

: difference, disagreement

c

evolutionary biology : the development of dissimilar traits or features (as of body structure or behavior) in closely related populations, species, or lineages of common ancestry that typically occupy dissimilar environments or ecological niches : divergent evolution

2

: a deviation from a course or standard

3

: the condition of being mathematically divergent

Synonyms

• bifurcation
• divarication
• divergency
• separation

Examples of divergence in a Sentence

a growing divergence of opinion about that U.S. president's place in history

any divergence from the community's strict moral code was met with social ostracism

Recent Examples on the Web

The selection of Atkins, who co-chairs the Token Alliance at the Digital Chamber, a group dedicated to the use of digital assets, suggests a sharp divergence from Biden-era crypto policy. —Lauren Feiner, The Verge, 4 Dec. 2024

When these indicators are moving in opposite direction to market price and cross the moving average (called a divergence), there is a strong possibility of a significant change in market direction in the future. —Kenneth G. Winans, Forbes, 2 Dec. 2024

Even if these developmental divergences are, in part, the result of toxic elements, removing those elements from the body later on will not undo the physiological or neurological shifts that have already taken place. —Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 27 Nov. 2024

Industry analyst Jonathan Miller points out the increasing divergence between the loan limit and the median sales price that has been taking place for years, but was especially pronounced after the pandemic (conforming loan limits are calculated based on average sales price). —Amy Rose Dobson, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin dīvergentia, noun derivative of Latin dīvergent-, dīvergens divergent

First Known Use

1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

divergence

noun

di·​ver·​gence də-ˈvər-jən(t)s 

dī-

: the state of diverging : a drawing apart (as of lines extending from a common center)

Medical Definition

divergence

noun

di·​ver·​gence də-ˈvər-jən(t)s, dī- 

1

a

: a drawing apart

b

: the acquisition of dissimilar characters by related organisms under the influence of unlike environments

2

: dissemination of the effect of activity of a single nerve cell through multiple synaptic connections compare convergence sense 4

diverge

-ˈvərj 

verb

diverged; diverging

divergent

-ˈvər-jənt 

adjective