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

The company didn’t disclose the backers of the fund, but it is said to be in the $50 million range and is made up of a consortium of investors largely from outside the film world. —Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 27 Apr. 2026

The third group is Penn Forward Now, a consortium funded by investment manager Fengate. —Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 25 Apr. 2026

Next-gen nuclear security capabilities The new work is supported by a nuclear forensics consortium led by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency and the National Nuclear Security Administration. —Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 25 Apr. 2026

So Porsche is selling its stake in Bugatti Rimac, as well as its stake in Rimac Group, to a consortium of investors led by HOF Capital. —ArsTechnica, 24 Apr. 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