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

Replicating those buffers of points in the bag before the turn of the year would put Leeds ahead of the maths and perhaps turn their springtime fixtures into a matter of consolidation rather than a scramble for survival. —Sukhman Singh, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025

However, this move approaches major resistance levels, and both momentum and volumes have slowed, raising the odds of consolidation or pullback in the absence of fresh catalysts. —Tony Zhang, CNBC, 20 Aug. 2025

Shares in both companies rallied on the news Tuesday morning, and further consolidation is expected; the Wall Street Journal reported Monday night that Sinclair has also proposed a merger with Tegna. —Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2025

Roger Alford’s comments draw the starkest battle lines yet between competing factions inside the Trump administration, pitting a populist mistrust of corporate consolidation against a dealmaking impulse toward light regulation. —Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 19 Aug. 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.