What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
catenation
Example
The catenation of these ideas creates a coherent argument. [catenation: noun]
Example
The catenation of the train cars allowed for efficient transportation. [catenation: noun]
concatenation
Example
The concatenation of these files resulted in a larger document. [concatenation: noun]
Example
The concatenation of the two words created a new compound word. [concatenation: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Concatenation is more commonly used than catenation in everyday language. Concatenation is frequently employed in computer programming, data manipulation, and linguistics, while catenation is less common and mainly used in technical or scientific fields.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between catenation and concatenation?
Both catenation and concatenation are formal terms, but concatenation is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, especially in computer-related discussions.