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.
Origin of conglomerate
1565–75; < Latinconglomerātus (past participle of conglomerāre), equivalent to con-con- + glomer- (stem of glomus) ball of yarn + -ātus-ate1
1570s, from Latin conglomeratus, past participle of conglomerare "to roll together," from com- "together" (see com-) + glomerare "to gather into a ball," from glomus (genitive glomeris) "a ball," from PIE root *glem-.
conglomerate
n.
"large business group," 1967, from conglomerate (adj.).
conglomerate
v.
1590s, from Latin conglomeratus, past participle of conglomerare (see conglomerate (adj.)). Related: Conglomerated; conglomerating.
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.
