conglomerate

American  

[kuhn-glom-er-it, kuhng-, kuhn-glom-uh-reyt, kuhng-] / kənˈglɒm ər ɪt, kəŋ-, kənˈglɒm əˌreɪt, kəŋ- /

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.

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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)

conglomerated, conglomerating

1. to bring together into a cohering mass.

2. to gather into a ball or rounded mass.

verb (used without object)

conglomerated, conglomerating

1. to collect or cluster together.

2. (of a company) to become part of or merge with a conglomerate.

conglomerate British  

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

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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 Scientific  

/ 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.

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conglomerate Cultural  

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

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Other Word Forms

• conglomeratic adjective
• conglomeritic adjective
• deconglomerate verb
• miniconglomerate noun
• pseudoconglomerate adjective
• superconglomerate noun
• unconglomerated adjective

Etymology

Origin of conglomerate

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

Explanation

A conglomerate is a group of things, especially companies, put together to form one. If you are rich enough to buy a TV network, a record company, several newspapers, and a radio station, you too can own a media conglomerate. The root of conglomerate is glomus, a Latin word for “ball.” So think of a conglomerate as a bunch of different things balled together. Before it came to describe giant corporations, a conglomerate was a rock formed from different kinds of minerals. Conglomerate can also be used as a verb — like when your media companies conglomerated successfully.

Example Sentences

The Allbirds brand will be owned by fashion conglomerate American Exchange Group, which incldes names like Ecko Unltd and Aerosoles, following a $39m deal announced in March.

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

The tech conglomerate has asked for an extension from the agency, but now Amazon has Globalstar’s two dozen satellites, no matter what happens with the FCC.

From Barron's • Apr. 15, 2026

Hong Kong conglomerate CK Hutchison has started arbitration against A.P.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

The beasts were, ostensibly, running a menacing communications conglomerate in a satellite tower looking over the main field of Coachella, but now they were spooked.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 12, 2026

Sidley & Austin was representing the chemical conglomerate Union Carbide in an antitrust trial involving the sale of one of its business holdings.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama

Related Words

• cartel
• chain
• group
• syndicate