consolidate

verb

con·​sol·​i·​date kən-ˈsä-lə-ˌdāt 

consolidated; consolidating

transitive verb

1

: to join together into one whole : unite

consolidate several small school districts

2

: to make firm or secure : strengthen

consolidate their hold on first place

He consolidated his position as head of the political party.

3

: to form into a compact mass

The press consolidates the fibers into board.

intransitive verb

: to become consolidated

specifically : merge

The two companies consolidated.

consolidator

kən-ˈsä-lə-ˌdā-tər 

noun

Synonyms

• center
• centralize
• compact
• concenter
• concentrate
• polarize
• unify
• unite

Examples of consolidate in a Sentence

The two funds will consolidate into one.

The administration hopes that such measures will consolidate its position.

Rebel forces have consolidated their hold on the region.

Recent Examples on the Web

The Green New Deal crowd pushes them to consolidate power. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025

The district is already in the process of consolidating some schools and planning for future renovations and replacements. —Alissa Widman Neese, Axios, 4 Feb. 2025

Elon Musk is rapidly consolidating control over large swaths of the federal government with President Donald Trump ’s blessing, sidelining career officials, gaining access to sensitive databases and dismantling a leading source of humanitarian assistance. —Chris Megerian, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2025

Its nationwide complex reflects the communications capabilities of the sixties and seventies; the F.A.A. could close and consolidate many of its radar-control centers. —Matthew L. Wald, The New Yorker, 1 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin consolidatus, past participle of consolidare to make solid, from com- + solidus solid

First Known Use

circa 1512, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Kids Definition

consolidate

verb

con·​sol·​i·​date kən-ˈsäl-ə-ˌdāt 

consolidated; consolidating

1

: to join together into one whole : unite

2

: to make firm or safe : strengthen

consolidate a beachhead

consolidation

kən-ˌsäl-ə-ˈdā-shən

noun

Legal Definition

consolidate

transitive verb

con·​sol·​i·​date kən-ˈsä-lə-ˌdāt 

consolidated; consolidating

: to join together into one whole: as

a

: to combine (two or more lawsuits or matters that involve a common question of law or fact) into one compare class action

Note: Consolidation of matters in the federal courts is governed by Rule 42 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Consolidated cases may become one single action with a single judgment, or may retain their individual identities although tried together. The court may also try one representative case and render a judgment binding on the other cases.

b

: to combine (two or more corporations) to form one new corporation compare merger

consolidation

kən-ˌsä-lə-ˈdā-shən 

noun