coalesce

Everyday

1. (formal) To come together and join to form one larger thing or group. tree →
2. (science) For drops, particles or bubbles to merge into one (raindrops coalesce in clouds). tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons, tiny water droplets coalesce to make raindrops heavy enough to fall; dust and gas coalesced to make stars and planets. In history and news, groups or ideas coalesce into a movement or a plan. It tells the reader separate parts are becoming one. It is formal; everyday English says «join together» or «merge».

Examples

• Tiny droplets coalesce into raindrops. tree →
• The planets formed when dust and rock coalesced around the young Sun. tree →
• Small groups coalesced into one big protest. tree →
• Our ideas slowly coalesced into a plan for the project. tree →
• Two puddles coalesced into one big pool. tree →
• The bubbles coalesced into a large one. tree →

Note

Regular verb: coalesced, coalescing. Say «koh-uh-LESS». Formal word. It is not connected with «coal». Noun: coalescence.