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cohesion

koh-HEE-zhun /kəʊˈhiːʒn/

nounC1GRESATACTGMATTOEFLIELTS

academicformal

The action or state of sticking together tightly; a strong bond of unity and connection within a group or substance.

Cohesion refers to the structural integrity and unity of a group, showing how well the members stick together under pressure.

The story behind the word. 'Cohesion' comes from the Latin 'cohaerere,' meaning 'to stick together.' This combines 'co-' (together) with 'haerere' (to stick). It is the same root that gives us 'adhere' and 'coherent,' describing a powerful, invisible force that holds a group or substance together, making it resistant to breaking apart.

Word relationships

unity: Unity is the state of being one, while cohesion is the active force or bond that holds the different parts together.
solidarity: Solidarity is unity based on shared responsibilities and interests, especially in the face of opposition, while cohesion is a general term for sticking together.

division: Division is the state of being split into hostile or separate groups, the opposite of cohesion.
fragmentation: Fragmentation is the process of breaking into small, isolated pieces.

Commonly confused with

adhesion: Adhesion is the sticking together of different substances (like tape to a wall), while cohesion is the sticking together of similar things (like water molecules or members of a community).

Word family

cohesive (adjective): Exhibiting or producing cohesion; sticking together.
cohesively (adverb): In a way that sticks together or is united.

Collocations

social cohesion
group cohesion
lack of cohesion
promote cohesion

Idioms & expressions

stick together like glue

Example sentences

"The local community center organized neighborhood festivals to strengthen social cohesion and build trust among residents." Discussing community development and social stability.

Memory hook

Think of 'co-' (together) and 'adhesive' (glue). Cohesion is the social 'glue' that keeps a community sticking together. Cohesion is the social glue.

When not to use

Do not use 'cohesion' to describe a temporary agreement; it refers to a deep, structural bond that holds a group together over time.

Fun facts

In physics, 'cohesion' is the intermolecular attraction between like molecules, which is why water forms droplets on a surface.
In linguistics, 'cohesion' refers to the grammatical and lexical links that hold a text together and make it readable.