agglomerate

[ verb uh-glom-uh-reyt; adjective noun uh-glom-er-it, -uh-reyt ]

verb (used with or without object)

, ag·glom·er·at·ed, ag·glom·er·at·ing.

1. to collect or gather into a cluster or mass.

   Synonyms: accumulate, amass, assemble

   Antonyms: scatter, disperse

adjective

1. gathered together into a cluster or mass.
2. Botany. crowded into a dense cluster, but not cohering.

noun

1. a mass of things clustered together.
2. rock composed of rounded or angular volcanic fragments.

agglomerate

verb

1. to form or be formed into a mass or cluster; collect

noun

1. a confused mass
2. a rock consisting of angular fragments of volcanic lava Compare conglomerate

adjective

1. formed into a mass

Derived Forms

• agˌglomerˈation, noun
• agˈglomerative, adjective

Other Words From

• ag·glom·er·a·tive [uh, -, glom, -, uh, -rey-tiv, -er-, uh, -tiv], adjective
• ag·glomer·ator noun
• nonag·glomer·ative adjective
• unag·glomer·ative adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of agglomerate¹

1675–85; < Latin agglomerātus (past participle of agglomerāre ), equivalent to ag- ag- + glomer- (stem of glomus ball of yarn) + -ātus -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of agglomerate¹

C17: from Latin agglomerāre, from glomerāre to wind into a ball, from glomus ball, mass

Example Sentences

Ideas don’t develop — they agglomerate in a repetitive, undifferentiated jumble, and the power they might have drains away.

From New York Times

This view, that the agglomerate of earth and water was not a perfect sphere, was universally accepted in the later Middle Ages, and the new cosmography required its refutation.

From Literature

Generally, Austin said, ultrafine particles tend to agglomerate as they travel through the air — they stick together and become larger particles, which aren’t able to pass from the airways into the bloodstream.

From Seattle Times

The base of the daybed is created from an agglomerate of colorful recycled PET plastic.

From Washington Times

The virus makes countless copies of Ralph himself, which eventually agglomerate to become a Ralphzilla that destroys the web’s infrastructure in pursuit of trapping Vanellope in their relationship.

From Slate