Words / C1

koh-HEEZHN/kəʊˈhiːʒn/

Cohesion is the quality of parts holding together as one — a class, a text, a society. Unity is a close everyday cousin; coherence is about logic and sense (a coherent argument), a different word. Cohesive is the adjective. In writing classes, cohesion often means linking devices; in sociology it means social bonds. In speech, hanging together is enough.

Meaning

The quality of parts fitting together as a united whole.

Examples

• “Group work improved the cohesion of the class.”
• “Clear pronouns improved the cohesion of the paragraph.”
• “Shared meals did more for team cohesion than another slide deck.”

Good to know

Social/textual sticking-together. Adjective: cohesive. Contrast: coherence = logical sense. Everyday: unity.

Near in meaning

unity

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