conglomerate

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

noun

1. anything composed of heterogeneous materials or elements.
2. a corporation consisting of a number of subsidiary companies or divisions in a variety of unrelated industries, usually as a result of merger or acquisition.
3. Geology. a rock consisting of pebbles or the like embedded in a finer cementing material; consolidated gravel.

adjective

1. gathered into a rounded mass; consisting of parts so gathered; clustered.
2. consisting of heterogeneous parts or elements.
3. of or relating to a corporate conglomerate.
4. Geology. of the nature of a conglomerate.

verb (used with object)

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

1. to bring together into a cohering mass.
2. to gather into a ball or rounded mass.

verb (used without object)

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

1. to collect or cluster together.
2. (of a company) to become part of or merge with a conglomerate.

conglomerate

noun

1. a thing composed of heterogeneous elements; mass
2. any coarse-grained sedimentary rock consisting of rounded fragments of rock embedded in a finer matrix Compare agglomerate
3. a large corporation consisting of a group of companies dealing in widely diversified goods, services, etc

verb

1. to form into a cluster or mass

adjective

1. made up of heterogeneous elements; massed
2. (of sedimentary rocks) consisting of rounded fragments within a finer matrix

conglomerate

/ kən-glŏm′ə-rāt′ /

1. A coarse-grained sedimentary rock consisting of round rock fragments cemented together by hardened silt, clay, calcium carbonate, or a similar material. The fragments (known as clasts) have a diameter of at least 2 mm (0.08 inches), vary in composition and origin, and may include pebbles, cobbles, boulders, or fossilized seashells. Conglomerates often form through the transportation and deposition of sediments by streams, alluvial fans, and glaciers.

conglomerate

1. A corporation with diversified holdings that are acquired through mergers and acquisitions but that are not necessarily related.

Other Words From

• con·glom·er·at·ic [k, uh, n-glom-, uh, -, rat, -ik, k, uh, ng-], con·glom·er·it·ic [k, uh, n-glom-, uh, -, rit, -ik, k, uh, ng-], adjective
• decon·glomer·ate verb deconglomerated deconglomerating
• mini·con·glomer·ate noun
• pseudo·con·glomer·ate adjective
• super·con·glomer·ate noun
• uncon·glomer·ated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of conglomerate¹

1565–75; < Latin conglomerātus (past participle of conglomerāre ), equivalent to con- con- + glomer- (stem of glomus ) ball of yarn + -ātus -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of conglomerate¹

C16: from Latin conglomerāre to roll up, from glomerāre to wind into a ball, from glomus ball of thread

Example Sentences

Bangladesh is ramping up payments to Adani Power after the Indian conglomerate cut electricity supplies by half, reportedly over an unpaid $800m bill.

From BBC

Pony Ma, boss of the tech conglomerate, Tencent, is third on the list with an estimated personal wealth amounting to £44.4bn.

From BBC

His character, who schemed to succeed his ailing father as chief executive of the fictional Waystar Royco media and entertainment conglomerate, earned Strong his first Emmy Award in 2020, as well as two additional nominations.

From Los Angeles Times

Film and TV production company Legendary Entertainment has bought out the remaining 50% stake owned by Chinese conglomerate Wanda Group, signifying a coda to China’s once-lofty hopes of becoming a major player in Hollywood.

From Los Angeles Times

The funeral has taken place in Mumbai of Ratan Tata, the former chairman of one of India’s biggest conglomerates, Tata Group, who died on Wednesday aged 86.

From BBC

Related Words

• cartel
• chain
• group
• syndicate