consortium

noun

con·​sor·​tium kən-ˈsȯr-sh(ē-)əm 

-ˈsȯr-tē-əm

plural consortia kən-ˈsȯr-sh(ē-)ə 

-ˈsȯr-tē-ə

also consortiums

1

: an agreement, combination, or group (as of companies) formed to undertake an enterprise beyond the resources of any one member

A consortium of researchers decoded the honeybee genome.

2

: association, society

3

: the legal right of one spouse to the company, affection, and assistance of and to sexual relations with the other

Synonyms of consortium

• organization
• institute
• association
• institution
• society
• chamber
• fraternity
• group
• council
• board

Examples of consortium in a Sentence

A Japanese consortium invested millions in the technology.

a consortium for the prevention of animal cruelty

Recent Examples on the Web

Johnson Publishing went out of business in 2019, but the magazine lives on in a digital format and its incredible archives were acquired by a consortium that includes Getty and the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. —Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2026

Anyone contemplating suicide or struggling with their mental health should call 9-8-8, the state’s crisis center consortium. —David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 May 2026

The new museum is part of the Powerhouse consortium of museums in Sydney, which includes three other sites owned by the New South Wales government (Powerhouse Ultimo, Powerhouse Castle Hill, and the Sydney Observatory). —Leigh Anne Miller, ARTnews.com, 20 May 2026

Confirmation of the news sparked consternation within the Liverpool fanbase but has generated considerable excitement among Chelsea supporters, some of whom have been driven to protest this season against the club’s BlueCo ownership consortium and sporting leadership. —Jon MacKenzie, New York Times, 19 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin, fellowship, from consort-, consors — see consort entry 1

First Known Use

1829, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Legal Definition

consortium

noun

con·​sor·​tium kən-ˈsȯr-shəm; -shē-əm 

plural consortia -shə, -shē-ə  also consortiums

1

: an agreement, combination, or group (as of companies) formed to undertake an enterprise beyond the resources of any one member

2

[Medieval Latin, marital partnership, from Latin] : the right of one spouse to the company, affection, and assistance of and to sexual relations with the other

also : the right of a parent or child to the company, affection, and assistance of the other

suing for loss of consortium

compare society

Etymology

Latin, sharing, partnership, from consort-, consors sharer, partner