conglomerate

[ noun, adjective kuhn-glom-er-it, kuhng-; verb kuhn-glom-uh-reyt, kuhng- ]

/ noun, adjective kənˈglɒm ər ɪt, kəŋ-; verb kənˈglɒm əˌreɪt, kəŋ- /

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See synonyms for: conglomerate / conglomerated / conglomerating on Thesaurus.com

noun

anything composed of heterogeneous materials or elements.

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.

Geology. a rock consisting of pebbles or the like embedded in a finer cementing material; consolidated gravel.

adjective

gathered into a rounded mass; consisting of parts so gathered; clustered.

consisting of heterogeneous parts or elements.

of or relating to a corporate conglomerate.

Geology. of the nature of a conglomerate.

verb (used with object), con·glom·er·at·ed, con·glom·er·at·ing.

to bring together into a cohering mass.

to gather into a ball or rounded mass.

verb (used without object), con·glom·er·at·ed, con·glom·er·at·ing.

to collect or cluster together.

(of a company) to become part of or merge with a conglomerate.

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Origin of conglomerate

1565–75; <Latin conglomerātus (past participle of conglomerāre), equivalent to con-con- + glomer- (stem of glomus) ball of yarn + -ātus-ate¹

OTHER WORDS FROM conglomerate

con·glom·er·at·ic

[kuhn-glom-uh-rat-ik, kuhng-], /kənˌglɒm əˈræt ɪk, kəŋ-/, con·glom·er·it·ic

[kuhn-glom-uh-rit-ik, kuhng-], /kənˌglɒm əˈrɪt ɪk, kəŋ-/, adjectivede·con·glom·er·ate, verb, de·con·glom·er·at·ed, de·con·glom·er·at·ing.min·i·con·glom·er·ate, nounpseu·do·con·glom·er·ate, adjective

su·per·con·glom·er·ate, nounun·con·glom·er·at·ed, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use conglomerate in a sentence

Partly afraid of the Republicans, and partly afraid of the conglomerates (they seek campaign contributions from Citibank too).
How Can Dems Be Losing to These Idiots?|Michael Tomasky|October 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They have been fighting back, putting pressure on conglomerates like Cargill to harvest oil palms sustainably.
Our Taste for Cheap Palm Oil Is Killing Chimpanzees|Carrie Arnold|July 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
International conglomerates are running into a major problem.
Our Taste for Cheap Palm Oil Is Killing Chimpanzees|Carrie Arnold|July 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Which might mean a lot more Indian outsourcing conglomerates will be insourcing in places like Texas.
Why Call Center Jobs Are Coming Back|Matthew Zeitlin|August 28, 2012|DAILY BEAST

One or two are elaborate conglomerates of speakers tied down to a cart, or a bike trailer.
Decentralized Dance Parties: Raves’ Next Wave|Winston Ross|February 3, 2012|DAILY BEAST
He could easily muster fifty of these, known as "Mosby's Conglomerates," for any expedition.
Famous Adventures And Prison Escapes of the Civil War|Various
The granitic conglomerates appear quite conclusive, one would think, of the results of fusion.
Summary Narrative of an Exploratory Expedition to the Sources of the Mississippi River, in 1820|Henry Rowe Schoolcraft
At many places also gray feldspathic sandstones and basal conglomerates appear.
History and Comprehensive Description of Loudoun County, Virginia|James W. Head
Civilization has been threatened in the past by such monstrous conglomerates of heterogeneous nations.
German Problems and Personalities|Charles Sarolea
One evidence of this is the presence of abundant conglomerates composed of great boulders.
Climatic Changes|Ellsworth Huntington

British Dictionary definitions for conglomerate

conglomerate

noun (kənˈɡlɒmərɪt)

a thing composed of heterogeneous elements; mass

any coarse-grained sedimentary rock consisting of rounded fragments of rock embedded in a finer matrixCompare agglomerate (def. 3)

a large corporation consisting of a group of companies dealing in widely diversified goods, services, etc

verb (kənˈɡlɒməˌreɪt)

to form into a cluster or mass

adjective (kənˈɡlɒmərɪt)

made up of heterogeneous elements; massed

(of sedimentary rocks) consisting of rounded fragments within a finer matrix

Word Origin for conglomerate

C16: from Latin conglomerāre to roll up, from glomerāre to wind into a ball, from glomus ball of thread

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for conglomerate

conglomerate

[ kən-glŏm′ə-rāt′ ]

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.

Cultural definitions for conglomerate

conglomerate

[ (kuhn-glom-uhr-uht) ]

A corporation with diversified holdings that are acquired through mergers and acquisitions but that are not necessarily related.

conglomerate

Origin of conglomerate

OTHER WORDS FROM conglomerate

Words related to conglomerate

How to use conglomerate in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for conglomerate

Word Origin for conglomerate

Scientific definitions for conglomerate

Cultural definitions for conglomerate