consolidate

verb

con·​sol·​i·​date kən-ˈsä-lə-ˌdāt How to pronounce consolidate (audio)
consolidated; consolidating

transitive verb

1
: to join together into one whole : unite
consolidate several small school districts
2
: to make firm or secure : strengthen
consolidate their hold on first place
He consolidated his position as head of the political party.
3
: to form into a compact mass
The press consolidates the fibers into board.

intransitive verb

: to become consolidated
specifically : merge
The two companies consolidated.
consolidator noun

Examples of consolidate in a Sentence

The two funds will consolidate into one. The administration hopes that such measures will consolidate its position. Rebel forces have consolidated their hold on the region.
Recent Examples on the Web As the phone carrier consolidated, Stankey rose through the ranks and ran parts of SBC Southwestern Bell. Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 28 Oct. 2024 That's one reason providers have been consolidating. Sally Pipes, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024 Efforts to eliminate or consolidate units of government have largely failed for a century, thanks in part to politicians’ instinct for self preservation, but also a fear, particularly among many in rural downstate areas, of losing their civic identity. Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 27 Oct. 2024 Sintering struck me as a fine metaphor for our trip, which was already strengthening and consolidating our newly smaller family. Sarah Manguso, Travel + Leisure, 26 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for consolidate 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'consolidate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin consolidatus, past participle of consolidare to make solid, from com- + solidus solid

First Known Use

circa 1512, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of consolidate was circa 1512

Dictionary Entries Near consolidate

Cite this Entry

“Consolidate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/consolidate. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

consolidate

verb
con·​sol·​i·​date kən-ˈsäl-ə-ˌdāt How to pronounce consolidate (audio)
consolidated; consolidating
1
: to join together into one whole : unite
2
: to make firm or safe : strengthen
consolidate a beachhead
consolidation
kən-ˌsäl-ə-ˈdā-shən
noun

Legal Definition

consolidate

transitive verb
con·​sol·​i·​date kən-ˈsä-lə-ˌdāt How to pronounce consolidate (audio)
consolidated; consolidating
: to join together into one whole: as
a
: to combine (two or more lawsuits or matters that involve a common question of law or fact) into one compare class action

Note: Consolidation of matters in the federal courts is governed by Rule 42 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Consolidated cases may become one single action with a single judgment, or may retain their individual identities although tried together. The court may also try one representative case and render a judgment binding on the other cases.

b
: to combine (two or more corporations) to form one new corporation compare merger
consolidation noun

More from Merriam-Webster on consolidate

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