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

• combination
• combining
• connecting
• connection
• coupling
• junction
• linking
• merger
• merging
• unification
• union

Examples of consolidation in a Sentence

the consolidation of several intelligence agencies into one super agency

Recent Examples on the Web

The appetite for cross-border consolidation in Europe has waned somewhat since the contentious 2007 takeover and later carve-up of Dutch lender ABN Amro by a consortium led by Royal Bank of Scotland, which ultimately saw the banks collapse during the financial crisis. —Ruxandra Iordache, CNBC, 23 Jan. 2025

Many of these companies — from Warner Bros. Discovery to Paramount Global — have sold themselves as the business has engaged in a period of frenzied consolidation that shows no signs of stopping. —Jordan Moreau, Variety, 23 Jan. 2025

Additionally, regulatory oversight may lag behind the pace of consolidation. —Andrew Neal, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025

As prices have risen for both consumers and streaming operators, consolidation via bundling has been a more frequent response, though few of the bundled packages involve full, single-app integrations. —Dade Hayes, Deadline, 22 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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.