Coeval

Coeval describes things or people that exist, live, or originate at the same time. It signifies a shared temporal existence, implying simultaneity or near-simultaneity in origin or duration. The term is often used in historical, geological, or scientific contexts to denote things linked by a common timeframe. This shared timing is the core of its meaning, and the closer the temporal alignment, the stronger the association. It can refer to events, species, artifacts, or individuals, highlighting their simultaneous presence in the unfolding of time.

Coeval meaning with examples

• The fossil record shows that the dinosaurs and the earliest flowering plants were coeval, existing side-by-side for millions of years before the dinosaurs' extinction. This reveals an important stage in their mutual interaction.
• Historians often study the cultural artifacts and literary works of coeval societies to understand the complex interplay of ideas and influences present at a specific moment in human history.
• The emergence of industrialization and the growth of urban populations were coeval processes in many parts of the world during the 19th century, changing societies immensely.
• The development of the printing press was coeval with the rise of literacy, allowing for the mass dissemination of knowledge and subsequently profoundly changed access to education.