consolidate

[kuhn-sol-i-deyt]

verb (used with object)

consolidated, consolidating 

1. to bring together (separate parts) into a single or unified whole; unite; combine.

   They consolidated their three companies.

2. to discard the unused or unwanted items of and organize the remaining.

   She consolidated her home library.

3. to make solid or firm; solidify; strengthen.

   to consolidate gains.

4. Military.,  to strengthen by rearranging the position of ground combat troops after a successful attack.

verb (used without object)

consolidated, consolidating 

1. to unite or combine.

2. to become solid or firm.

adjective

1. consolidated.

consolidate

/ kənˈsɒlɪˌdeɪt /

verb

1. to form or cause to form into a solid mass or whole; unite or be united

2. to make or become stronger or more stable

3. military to strengthen or improve one's control over (a situation, force, newly captured area, etc)

Other Word Forms

• consolidator noun
• preconsolidate verb
• reconsolidate verb
• unconsolidating adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of consolidate¹

First recorded in 1505–15; from Latin consolidātus “made solid,” past participle of consolidāre “to make solid,” equivalent to con- + solid + -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of consolidate¹

C16: from Latin consolidāre to make firm, from solidus strong, _solid

Example Sentences

The combination of rail and rifle consolidated U.S. control in the east.

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But the tracks and transportation systems that Gould helped build and consolidate through maneuvers like the “Erie War”—a scheme to issue bogus shares in a vital railroad to gain control of it—were transformative.

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Marriage among the children of high earners and those who become high earners serves to consolidate wealth, and further widens the income gap, said Melissa Kearney, a family economist at the University of Notre Dame.

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The GV70 reminds us why controls were consolidated in touch screens in the first place: a shortage of real estate.

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Meanwhile, the rapid and steady growth in primary private-credit markets over the past decade has created a deep pipeline of secondary supply, particularly as more institutional investors look to rebalance or consolidate their holdings.

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Related Words

• build up 
• cement 
• centralize 
• concentrate 
• develop 
• fortify 
• reinforce 
• secure 
• solidify 
• stabilize 
• strengthen 
• unify