1. The process of joining or blending things together
   "The fusion of different musical styles created a unique sound"
    
2. The combining or joining of separate elements into a single unit
   "The fusion of the two companies created a powerful new entity in the market";
   - merger, unification, amalgamation
    
3. A nuclear reaction in which nuclei combine to form more massive nuclei with the simultaneous release of energy
   "Scientists are working on harnessing nuclear fusion as a clean energy source";
   - nuclear fusion, nuclear fusion reaction
    
4. The melting or physical coalescence of materials
   "Heat caused the fusion of the metal into a solid mass"
    
5. The merging of adjacent sounds, syllables or words
   "The fusion of 'will' and 'not' into 'won't' is a common example in English"
    
6. Correction of an unstable part of the spine by joining two or more vertebrae; usually done surgically but sometimes done by traction or immobilization
   "The orthopaedic surgeon performed a spinal fusion to stabilize the patient's lower back";
   - spinal fusion
    
7. The combining of images from the two eyes to form a single visual percept
   "Optical fusion allows us to perceive depth and three-dimensional space";
   - optical fusion

Derived forms: fusions

Type of: beholding, combination, combining, compounding, consolidation, correction, integration, linguistic process, nuclear reaction, seeing, union, visual perception

Encyclopedia: Fusion