consolidate
Americanverb (used with object)
-
consolidates,
present (3rd person singular)
-
consolidated,
past participle, past
-
consolidating
present participle
-
to bring together (separate parts) into a single or unified whole; unite; combine.
They consolidated their three companies.
-
to discard the unused or unwanted items of and organize the remaining.
She consolidated her home library.
-
to make solid or firm; solidify; strengthen.
to consolidate gains.
-
Military. to strengthen by rearranging the position of ground combat troops after a successful attack.
verb (used without object)
-
consolidates,
present (3rd person singular)
-
consolidated,
past participle, past
-
consolidating
present participle
-
to unite or combine.
-
to become solid or firm.
adjective
verb
-
to form or cause to form into a solid mass or whole; unite or be united
-
to make or become stronger or more stable
-
military to strengthen or improve one's control over (a situation, force, newly captured area, etc)
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
consolidatesimple
-
consolidatessimple
-
have consolidatedperfect
-
has consolidatedperfect
-
am consolidatingprogressive
-
are consolidatingprogressive
-
is consolidatingprogressive
-
have been consolidatingperfect progressive
-
has been consolidatingperfect progressive
Past
-
consolidatedsimple
-
had consolidatedperfect
-
was consolidatingprogressive
-
were consolidatingprogressive
-
had been consolidatingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of consolidate
First recorded in 1505–15; from Latin consolidātus “made solid,” past participle of consolidāre “to make solid,” equivalent to con- + solid + -ate 1
Explanation
Consolidate means to bring together. If you consolidate student loans, you put them all together into one big loan. If you consolidate your childhood toys, you grab them all up and put them in one place. Preferably a toy box. Consolidate comes from the Latin roots com- ("together") and solidare ("to make solid"). So, consolidate is to bring things together to make something solid, stronger, or easier to handle. A general might consolidate his troops, a librarian might consolidate his grammar books, and someone with credit-card debt might consolidate the debt from different cards onto one.
Vocabulary lists containing consolidate
Hamilton
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!
The Hunger Games
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!
100 SAT words Beginning with "C"
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.
See Examples For:
To secure British approval, Paramount agreed not to consolidate television channels and streaming services in the U.K. and pledged to maintain their “distinct editorial identity.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 6, 2026
The acquisition from Saudi Arabia’s PIF follows the funds efforts to consolidate some of its investments.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 5, 2026
Beijing would also consolidate its seven current London sites into one, "bringing clear security advantages," he said.
From Barron's ● Jul. 31, 2026
"This morning, we are very satisfied with the work done. We are going to consolidate the work that has been done," he said.
From BBC ● Jul. 28, 2026
Another problem blew up out of Kepler’s eagerness to consolidate his new reputation by associating with other mathematicians and discussing his ideas with them.
From "The Scientists" by John Gribbin
The deal consolidates more of the exchange business under ICE and is the NYSE’s latest effort to add asset classes to diversify beyond stocks.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 30, 2026
When we are asleep, our brain consolidates the memories of the day, processes emotions, and solves problems that defied it in the waking hours.
From BBC ● Jul. 19, 2026
On the other, Ellison consolidates content production across multiple major networks.
From Salon ● Jun. 21, 2026
The news comes as the media and entertainment universe consolidates, cutting both costs and staff amid a shift away from movie theaters and traditional television.
From MarketWatch ● May 11, 2026
In astronomy this is true; but in all the other fields of scientific enquiry the word consolidates a conceptual revolution.
From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton
It also moved to restrict eligibility based on immigration status, which was temporarily blocked by a federal judge, and consolidated Head Start’s regional offices, leading to the layoffs of scores of workers.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 6, 2026
Eventually, Stevens consolidated establishment and centrist support, while El-Sayed consolidated progressives.
From Slate ● Aug. 5, 2026
He added: "Given the event's profile, which as anticipated, resulted in an approximate $30m loss, our margins at UFC as well as on a consolidated basis were meaningfully impacted."
From BBC ● Aug. 4, 2026
The trial was one of several planned in Los Angeles state court, as more than 3,000 consolidated cases make similar claims against the social-media company.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 22, 2026
The subject’s papules at this time — the third day since their first appearance— consolidated and gave rise to pustular vesicles, which no amount of 1.
From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume I: The Pox Party" by M.T. Anderson
As part of its accelerated plan, Albertsons is consolidating its 11 divisions into four geographical regions in an effort to simplify its operating structure.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 23, 2026
The third slot remains up for grabs, with neither Josh Tongue nor Saqib Mahmood consolidating their place in the side.
From BBC ● Jul. 20, 2026
These actions included things like changing the title on bank accounts and other property, redirecting household bills, canceling credit cards, consolidating retirement accounts, making Roth conversions and giving away money.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 17, 2026
The food-delivery market is consolidating around major players amid thin margins and reduced venture capital.
From Barron's ● May 26, 2026
The growing Christian Church was consolidating its power and attempting to eradicate pagan influence and culture.
From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan
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.
