Concurrent: meaning, definitions and examples

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concurrent

 

[kənˈkʌrənt ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

computing

Existing, happening, or done at the same time.

Synonyms

coexisting, parallel, simultaneous.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
concurrent

Describes events or actions happening at the same time, usually highlighting that they are related or influencing each other. Often used in formal or technical contexts.

  • The conference had ten concurrent sessions
  • The bank faced concurrent financial and legal issues
simultaneous

Describes events happening exactly at the same time, often without implying direct interaction or influence. Used in everyday language as well as technical contexts.

  • The fireworks display and music were perfectly simultaneous
  • The two runners reached the finish line in simultaneous fashion
parallel

Describes events, actions, or lines running in the same direction but not intersecting. Often emphasizes separation despite simultaneous occurrence.

  • The students worked on parallel projects
  • The two roads run parallel to each other
coexisting

Describes things existing together in the same place or time without necessarily interacting or affecting each other. Often used in describing harmonious or conflicting relationships.

  • The urban and rural lifestyles are coexisting in the region
  • Different species can be found coexisting in the same ecosystem

Examples of usage

  • concurrent users accessing the server
  • concurrent processes running on the system
Context #2 | Noun

law

A person appointed by a court to represent a minor or legally incompetent person in a particular lawsuit.

Synonyms

advocate, guardian ad litem, representative.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
concurrent

Used when two or more events or situations happen at the same time.

  • The conference had several concurrent sessions on different topics.
  • He faced concurrent sentences for the two crimes.
representative

Refers to a person chosen or elected to speak or act on behalf of others, often in a political, organizational, or business setting.

  • She was elected as the student representative on the board.
  • He acts as a representative for the company's interests in these negotiations.
advocate

Refers to someone who supports or argues for a cause, policy, or group, often in a legal or professional context.

  • She works as an advocate for children's rights.
  • The lawyer is a strong advocate for environmental protection.
guardian ad litem

Used in a legal context to refer to a person appointed by the court to represent the best interests of a child or incapacitated person during legal proceedings.

  • The court appointed a guardian ad litem to ensure the child's best interests were represented.
  • As a guardian ad litem, his duty is to advocate for the minor's welfare.

Examples of usage

  • The court appointed a concurrent to represent the child in the custody case.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Latin 'concurrentis', meaning 'running together'.
  • It was first used in English around the late 15th century.
  • The prefix 'con-' means 'together' and 'currere' means 'to run', giving a literal sense of things moving together.

Science

  • In physics, concurrent forces are those that act upon an object at the same time, affecting its motion.
  • Computer science uses the term to describe processes that simulate simultaneous execution, even on a single processor.
  • The study of concurrent systems is crucial in distributed computing, where multiple processes work together.

Law

  • In legal terms, concurrent sentences are those served at the same time rather than one after the other.
  • This concept is essential in criminal justice, as it significantly affects sentencing outcomes.
  • Concurrent jurisdiction allows more than one court to hear the same case, which can expedite legal processes.

Education

  • Concurrent enrollment programs allow high school students to take college courses while still in high school, saving time on their education.
  • Teachers may use concurrent teaching methods to deliver lessons to multiple class levels at once.
  • The idea encourages collaboration and sharing of resources among different educational institutions.

Pop Culture

  • Films often use concurrent storylines to build suspense by showing events happening simultaneously across different characters.
  • In video games, players can engage in concurrent quests or missions that run parallel to each other.
  • TV shows like 'Lost' utilized concurrent timelines to reveal plot twists, using flashbacks that revealed character backstories simultaneously.

Translations

Translations of the word "concurrent" in other languages:

🇵🇹 concorrente

🇮🇳 समवर्ती

🇩🇪 gleichzeitig

🇮🇩 bersamaan

🇺🇦 одночасний

🇵🇱 równoczesny

🇯🇵 同時の

🇫🇷 concurrent

🇪🇸 concurrente

🇹🇷 eşzamanlı

🇰🇷 동시의

🇸🇦 متزامن

🇨🇿 současný

🇸🇰 súčasný

🇨🇳 同时的

🇸🇮 sočasen

🇮🇸 samtímis

🇰🇿 қатарлас

🇬🇪 თანამედროვე

🇦🇿 eyni vaxtda

🇲🇽 concurrente

Word Frequency Rank

At #6,842 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.