consolidation

[ kuhn-sol-i-dey-shuhn ]

noun

1. an act or instance of combining or consolidating into a single or unified whole; the state of being consolidated; unification:

   Our CEO proposed the consolidation of several departments and the elimination of 10 positions.

2. solidification; strengthening:

   consolidation of principles and beliefs.

3. something resulting from a unification of two or more elements; a consolidated whole.
4. Law. the union of two or more claims or actions at law for trial or appeal.
5. Finance. debt consolidation.
6. Business, Finance.
   1. the combining of several financial accounts into a single one, as when the financial results from two or more businesses are combined into a single statement.
   2. a statutory combination of two or more corporations.
7. Pathology. the process of becoming solid, as the changing of lung tissue from aerated and elastic to firm in certain diseases.
8. Geology. lithification.
9. Physiology. the process by which the brain forms stable, long-lasting memories.
10. Consolidation, Railroads: Now Rare. a steam locomotive having a two-wheeled front truck, eight driving wheels, and no rear truck.

consolidation

/ kənˌsɒlɪˈdeɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of consolidating or state of being consolidated
2. something that is consolidated or integrated
3. law
   1. the combining of two or more actions at law
   2. the combination of a number of Acts of Parliament into one codifying statute
4. geology the process, including compression and cementation, by which a loose deposit is transformed into a hard rock
5. psychol the process in the brain that makes the memory for an event enduring; the process is thought to continue for some time after the event

Derived Forms

• conˈsoliˌdative, adjective

Other Words From

• con·sol·i·da·tive [k, uh, n-, sol, -i-dey-tiv], adjective
• non·con·sol·i·da·tion noun
• pre·con·sol·i·da·tion noun
• pro·con·sol·i·da·tion adjective
• re·con·sol·i·da·tion noun
• un·con·sol·i·da·tion noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of consolidation¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English consolidacioun “healing by closing up, knitting of bones,” from Late Latin consolidātiōn- (stem of consolidātiō ) “merging of usufruct in property, establishing of ownership, consolidation”; consolidate -ion

Example Sentences

As the lawsuit unfolds, it underscores broader tensions in the grocery industry over labor rights and market consolidation.

From Salon

Coventry are currently 10 points off the play-offs, so this season may simply be about consolidation with the players at his disposal.

From BBC

The move represents a real estate consolidation by VF Corp., which owns Dickies and Vans as well as outdoorsy brands the North Face, Timberland and JanSport.

From Los Angeles Times

The talks took place in a climate of increasing angst among entertainment industry workers who are contending with the studio cost-cutting, consolidation and the outsourcing of production.

From Los Angeles Times

Plant hire has been largely unaffected by consolidation into larger firms.

From BBC

Related Words

• merger
• strengthening
• unification