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

ABB, a Swiss industrial conglomerate, had been planning to spin off the division as a separately listed public company next year.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The firm has reiterated a Buy rating and $230 price target with about a month to go before the Chinese conglomerate’s next earnings report.

Read more on Barron's

In Japan, OpenAI and Hitachi agreed that the Japanese conglomerate would support OpenAI in developing AI infrastructure, including the provision of equipment for power transmission and distribution to the American startup’s data centers.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

To cope, many independent practitioners have sold their practices to hospitals and other conglomerates.

Read more on Barron's

The media conglomerate said it had suggested measures to promote "accountability" within Disney.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• cartel 
• chain 
• group 
• syndicate