Definition of CONCURRENT (original) (raw)
1
: operating or occurring at the same time
2
b
specifically : meeting or intersecting in a point
4
: exercised over the same matter or area by two different authorities
Did you know?
Consecutive has a good deal in common with the complementary word concurrent. Besides the fact that both begin with the prefix con_- (meaning “with, together”), each word deals with the time-order in which several things happen. Concurrent describes things that are occurring, or people who are doing something, at the same time, such as “_concurrent users” of a computer program. Consecutive refers to things that are arranged or happen in a sequential order. A criminal who serves a consecutive sentence does time for one conviction after another. If that person gets a concurrent sentence, he or she undergoes all punishments at the same time.
Did you know?
Things that are concurrent usually not only happen at the same time but also are similar to each other. So, for example, multitasking computers are capable of performing concurrent tasks. When we take more than one medication at a time, we run the risks involved with concurrent drug use. And at any multiplex theater several movies are running concurrently.
Synonyms
Examples of concurrent in a Sentence
… the last two Mysore Wars in the 1790s, like the concurrent European wars against Revolutionary France, demonstrated Britain's capacity to reassert and reconfigure itself in the wake of crushing global defeats. —
Linda Colley, Captives, 2002 Concurrent with the party conventions, an assortment of activists, professional pols and show-biz celebrities with populist pretensions … will gather for four days of speechifying, seminar giving and satirical merrymaking … —Andrew Ferguson, Time, 31 July 2000 Added to other evidence, this led to Cooke's conviction and a sentence of two concurrent twenty-year terms. —David Fisher, Hard Evidence, 1995
the concurrent use of two medications He's currently serving two concurrent life sentences for murder.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
He has been sentenced to life in prison in that case as well, and the sentences will run concurrent with each other, the district attorney’s office said in a social media post on Friday, Feb. 7. —Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Feb. 2025 The follow-up to Kingdom Come: Deliverance eclipsed its predecessor's launch stats on PC with ease, racking up a concurrent user (CCU) peak of 159,351 during its first day, according to SteamDB. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025 The concurrent protest marches around the nation had more famous entertainers than the swearing-in, which stood in stark contrast to someone like Barack Obama, whose second inaugural ceremony had performances from Beyoncé, James Taylor and Kelly Clarkson and a series of starry onlookers. —Lauryn Overhultz, Fox News, 20 Jan. 2025 BritBox outclasses them all with support for five concurrent streams. —PCMAG, 22 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for concurrent 
Word History
Etymology
Middle English concurant, concurrent, borrowed from Latin concurrent-, concurrens, present participle of concurrere "to assemble in haste, resort to in large numbers, collide, exist simultaneously, be in agreement" — more at concur
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of concurrent was in the 14th century
Dictionary Entries Near concurrent
Cite this Entry
“Concurrent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/concurrent. Accessed 12 Feb. 2025.
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Last Updated: 11 Feb 2025 - Updated example sentences
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