amalgamation

noun

amal·​gam·​ation ə-ˌmal-gə-ˈmā-shən 

1

a

: the action or process of uniting or merging two or more things : the action or process of amalgamating

an opportunity for the amalgamation of the two companies

b

: the state of being amalgamated

2

: the result of amalgamating : amalgam

Opera is an amalgamation of singing, acting, and stagecraft.

3

: merger

Did you know?

What is the difference between acculturation, assimilation, and amalgamation?

Acculturation is one of several forms of culture contact, and has a couple of closely related terms, including assimilation and amalgamation. Although all three of these words refer to changes due to contact between different cultures, there are notable differences between them. Acculturation is often tied to political conquest or expansion, and is applied to the process of change in beliefs or traditional practices that occurs when the cultural system of one group displaces that of another. Assimilation refers to the process through which individuals and groups of differing heritages acquire the basic habits, attitudes, and mode of life of an embracing culture. Amalgamation refers to a blending of cultures, rather than one group eliminating another (acculturation) or one group mixing itself into another (assimilation).

Synonyms

• admixture
• alloy
• amalgam
• blend
• cocktail
• combination
• composite
• compound
• conflation
• emulsion
• fusion
• intermixture
• meld
• mix
• mixture
• synthesis

Examples of amalgamation in a Sentence

an amalgamation of peat moss and vermiculite is a good medium for starting vegetable seedlings

Recent Examples on the Web

As realized by Handspring Puppet Company in South Africa for the production’s 2007 London premiere and 2011 Broadway transfer, the illusion was uncanny — alternately lifelike and expressionist as three puppeteers disappeared inside a four-legged amalgamation of cane, aluminum and leather. —Thomas Floyd, Washington Post, 21 July 2024

The protest was an amalgamation of a variety of groups, causes and messaging. —Sam Janesch, Baltimore Sun, 16 July 2024

Tour guide Devon Adrien of SDA Taxi says this cultural amalgamation is part of the island’s magnetism. —Kristin Braswell, Travel + Leisure, 25 June 2024

Disney’s Lake Nona saga was the result of an amalgamation of issues. —Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 20 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin amalgamātiōn-, amalgamātiō "combining of a metal with mercury," from amalgamāre "to combine (a metal) with mercury, amalgamate" + Latin -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action

First Known Use

1775, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

amalgamation

noun

amal·​gam·​ation ə-ˌmal-gə-ˈmā-shən 

1

a

: the act or process of amalgamating

made by the amalgamation of mercury with silver

b

: the state of being amalgamated

2

: a combination of different elements into a single body