conglomerate

[kuhn-glom-er-it, kuhng-, 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)

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

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

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 Word Forms

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

There’s a sense that houses like Gucci have lost their identity under the dictates of the conglomerates that own their trademarks and designs.

From Los Angeles Times

Mr Agnelli died more than 20 years ago after building Fiat up from a small car manufacturer into a major conglomerate.

From BBC

The sale of their shares will add to the three siblings' existing inheritance, but prevent them from having any influence over the political bent of the family's media conglomerate.

From BBC

Like many community newsrooms around the country, the Truth Teller is a ghost paper owned by a conglomerate called Enervate.

From Salon

While fashion conglomerates bought up other brands, Armani resisted external investment.

From BBC

Related Words

• cartel 
• chain 
• group 
• syndicate