consolidation

noun

con·​sol·​i·​da·​tion kən-ˌsä-lə-ˈdā-shən 

1

: the act or process of consolidating : the state of being consolidated

2

: the process of uniting : the quality or state of being united

specifically : the unification of two or more corporations by dissolution of existing ones and creation of a single new corporation

3

: pathological alteration of lung tissue from an aerated condition to one of solid consistency

4

: the process by which a new memory is converted into a form that is stable and long-lasting

Initially fragile memories can gain stability via consolidation, but the extent to which sleep contributes to this process is unresolved …

—John D. Rudoy et al.

Synonyms

• merger
• unification
• merging

Examples of consolidation in a Sentence

the consolidation of several intelligence agencies into one super agency

Recent Examples on the Web

Fiscal rules left broken Officials in Brussels are unlikely to want to appear to be interfering in domestic political affairs, but the pressure is on for Paris to embark on some serious fiscal consolidation — and fast. —Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2025

Numerous human rights organizations have highlighted his case as an example of the country’s authoritarian rule and president Xi Jinping’s consolidation of power. —Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 8 Oct. 2025

There has been some consolidation in the regional bank sector recently. —Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2025

Streaming consolidation, soaring production costs and the rapid rise of AI have forced executives to rethink business models and creative strategies. —Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for consolidation

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration

Medical Definition

consolidation

noun

con·​sol·​i·​da·​tion kən-ˌsäl-ə-ˈdā-shən 

1

: the process by which an infected lung passes from an aerated collapsible condition to one of airless solid consistency through the accumulation of exudate in the alveoli and adjoining ducts

pneumonic consolidation

also : tissue that has undergone consolidation

areas of consolidation

2

: the process by which a new memory is converted into a form that is stable and long-lasting

Initially fragile memories can gain stability via consolidation, but the extent to which sleep contributes to this process is unresolved …

—John D. Rudoy et al.