noun

concurrency

/kənˈkɜrənsi/ · say it: kuhn·KUR·uhn·see

multiple computations happening in overlapping periods

In more detail

1. (noun) the fact of two or more things happening or existing at the same time

2. (noun) in computing, the ability of a system to process multiple tasks or operations simultaneously or in an overlapping way

Examples

1. The concurrency of several events made it difficult for him to attend all the meetings.
2. Modern processors handle concurrency to improve performance and speed.

How to use concurrency

Concurrency in general contexts refers to the simultaneous occurrence of events or states; in computing, it has a more technical meaning related to system design and multithreading. The term carries a neutral, precise tone and is especially common in technical and academic discourse when discussing timing, efficiency, or system architecture.

Common phrases

concurrent processes
handle concurrency
concurrency control
thread concurrency
concurrency issues
manage concurrency

Synonyms

simultaneity · coexistence · parallel processing · multitasking

Opposites

sequentiality · serialization

Word family

concurrent (adjective) · concurrently (adverb)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse concurrency with parallelism; while related, concurrency is about managing multiple tasks that may overlap, while parallelism specifically means tasks running at exactly the same instant on multiple processors.

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