consortium
Americannoun
plural
consortia-
a combination of financial institutions, capitalists, etc., for carrying into effect some financial operation requiring large resources of capital.
-
any association, partnership, or union.
-
Law. the legal right of partners in a marriage to companionship and conjugal intercourse with each other.
In a wrongful death action the surviving spouse commonly seeks damages for loss of consortium.
noun
-
an association of financiers, companies, etc, esp one formed for a particular purpose
-
law the right of husband or wife to the company, assistance, and affection of the other
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of consortium
1820–30; < Latin: partnership, equivalent to consort- consort + -ium -ium
Explanation
Consortium is a fancy word for a group you form for an enterprise beyond what any one member could do alone. All the grocery stores in your neighborhood might form a consortium for the promotion of local strawberries. Consortium comes from the verb consort, which means "to accompany or associate." Consortium used to mean "fellowship, participation, society," but these days you're more likely to hear consortium for an association of different institutions like schools or companies than, say, a consortium of philosophical frog lovers. Still, consortiums usually preserve the ideals of fellowship, with every member institution chipping in to reach a common goal.
Vocabulary lists containing consortium
The Boys in the Boat
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
"Simon's Saga," Vocabulary from Episode 25
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The Gene
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The work is part of the Tara Pacific consortium, which focuses on understanding how oceans are changing due to climate pressures.
From Science Daily • May 8, 2026
Three years later, a European consortium -- Lobito Atlantic Railway, or LAR -- won a 30‑year concession to operate the line, transport minerals and manage Lobito's mineral terminal.
From Barron's • May 7, 2026
Sheffield Wednesday have announced that US consortium Arise Capital Partners has bought the club, officially bringing to an end Dejphon Chansiri's ownership.
From BBC • May 2, 2026
The ultimate impact of the Emirati decision to leave the group, as well as the expanded consortium including fellow exporters such as Russia, known as OPEC+, may have long-term implications for the global oil market.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 28, 2026
Mr. Sharpe, we divined, represented a consortium of investors.
From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume I: The Pox Party" by M.T. Anderson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
