cohesion
koh-HEE-zhuhn
/koʊˈhiːʒən/
The action or state of sticking together closely, forming a united whole.
Refers to the internal bond or unity of a group, often emotional or structural, that keeps it from falling apart.
The story behind the word. Derived from the Latin verb 'cohaerere', which literally means 'to stick together'. It was used in physics to describe molecules holding fast to one another before being adopted by social scientists to describe tight-knit human groups.
Word relationships
- unity: Unity is the state of being one, whereas cohesion is the active force or bond that holds the parts together.
- fragmentation: Fragmentation is the breaking of a whole into isolated, separate pieces.
Commonly confused with
- adhesion: Cohesion is the attraction between similar things (like members of a team), while adhesion is the attraction between different things (like glue to paper).
Word family
- cohesive (adjective): Characterized by or causing cohesion; sticking together.
- cohere (verb): Be united; hold together.
Collocations
- social cohesion
- group cohesion
- lack of cohesion
Example sentences
- "The shared hardships of basic training created a deep sense of cohesion among the soldiers." Team dynamics
- "Without some degree of social cohesion, no democratic society can long endure." Sociological analysis
Memory hook
Think of 'co-' (together) + 'adhesive' (glue). Cohesion is the social glue that keeps a team stuck together. The social adhesive of a team.
When not to use
Avoid using when referring to a simple physical mixture that does not actually bond or stick together.
Fun facts
- Water has a very high level of physical cohesion, which is why it forms droplets and allows insects to walk on its surface.
Related words
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