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. See conglomerate
   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

It contained countless stars agglomerated in huge clusters, now called galaxies.

From Science News

The phenomena presented by the necks of intrusive rock do not differ from those characteristic of agglomerate or tuff necks.

From Project Gutenberg

Unfortunately, the moral tone of this agglomerate population is deplorable, and money is spent in a reckless way.

From Project Gutenberg

The finer sense detects the differences of them, and begins, first to agglomerate, then to distinguish them.

From Project Gutenberg

Nowhere in Antrim is there such a display of volcanic ash and agglomerate as at this spot.

From Project Gutenberg

Amongst the vents filled with ash and agglomerate, the most remarkable is that of Carrick-a-raide, near Ballycastle.

From Project Gutenberg

More About Agglomerate

What does agglomerate mean?

Agglomerate means to collect or gather into a cluster or mass, especially a messy or jumbled one.

As a verb, agglomerate is typically used in a passive way (as opposed to someone doing the agglomerating), as in Much of the garbage in the ocean has agglomerated into a giant floating mass.

The process of agglomerating is called agglomeration. Agglomeration can also refer to a messy cluster or jumbled collection of various elements. Agglomeration is often used to refer to groupings of miscellaneous things—such as various types of objects or even people—into a single (though often somewhat messy) unit. Agglomerate can also be used as a noun to mean the same thing.

The similar word conglomerate can be used in many of the same ways that agglomerate can, but it doesn’t doesn’t always imply a sense of messiness like agglomerate does. And conglomerate is most commonly used as a noun meaning a large corporation consisting of many companies.

Agglomerate can also be used as an adjective to describe things gathered together into a jumbled mass, as in My desk has become an agglomerate mess.

It can also be used in a few more specific ways. In botany, it’s used as an adjective to describe plant parts that are crowded into a dense cluster but not fully connected. In geology, it’s used as a noun referring to a type of rock composed of volcanic fragments.

Example: I forgot that the art project was due today, so my collage is really just an agglomerate of things I found around the house.

Where does agglomerate come from?

The first records of the word agglomerate come from the 1600s. It comes from the Latin agglomerāre, from glomerāre, meaning “to wind into a ball,” from glomus, meaning “ball” or “mass.”

As a noun, agglomerate refers to a mass of different things that have agglomerated together. A dish made from all the leftovers in the fridge could be called an agglomerate—especially when they don’t quite go together (though that quiche and meatball sandwich was pretty delicious). The United States is sometimes described as an agglomerate of different peoples from different places.

Agglomerate is perhaps more commonly used as a verb. When things agglomerate, they often get lumped together in one big jumble. This often happens through natural processes, such as flotsam agglomerating in the ocean or, slightly less naturally, stuff agglomerating in a big pile at the back of the closet.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to agglomerate?

• agglomeration (noun)
• agglomerative (adjective)
• agglomerator (noun)

What are some synonyms for agglomerate?

• agglomeration (when agglomerate is used as a noun)
• cluster
• heap
• jumble
• mass
• pile
• gather
• collect

What are some words that share a root or word element with agglomerate? 

• conglomerate
• conglomeration

What are some words that often get used in discussing agglomerate?

• collection
• group
• messy
• jumbled
• element
• different

What are some words agglomerate may be commonly confused with?

• conglomeration

How is agglomerate used in real life?

The word agglomerate typically involves a collection or mass of various things in a single unit. It often implies messiness, but this isn’t always negative.

Trend alert! "Everywhere you look, cubes, spheres, and pyramids are agglomerating, as if molecularly, into lamps, vases, and tables". Read the @MetropolisMag article and see examples of the recent design trend of stacking forms and shapes. https://t.co/IKCnUrmwE2 pic.twitter.com/7gOIcqYrb8

— ASID (@ASID) May 13, 2019

Intriguing tidbit in this piece on China's rapidly agglomerating cities: when places are connected by high-speed rail, quantity & quality of academic papers by local researchers goes up by nearly 1/3 https://t.co/9aiinbUrpK pic.twitter.com/1W1gFfyeer

— Te-Ping Chen (@tepingchen) June 28, 2018

#Paleogene volcanic vent agglomerate – basalt cobbles and boulders within messed up #Cretaceous chalk. #CausewayCoast wonder! pic.twitter.com/ujTuRX8IXO

— Mark Cooper (@CooperGeoNI) June 30, 2019

 

 

Try using agglomerate!

Which of the following words is NOT a synonym of agglomerate?

A. cluster
B. dissipate
C. jumble
D. mass