consolidate
Americanverb (used with object)
-
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)
-
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.
But it expects its reforms to result in larger agencies, suggesting smaller offices may consolidate or close.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 8, 2026
Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa has struggled to consolidate control over the whole country and restore security since he came to power.
From BBC • Jul. 2, 2026
“It’s a flagging industry. ... The industry will have to consolidate to survive,” said C. Kerry Fields, a USC Marshall School of Business economics professor.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 2, 2026
I’m debating whether I should consolidate the debt or negotiate down what I owe overall.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 30, 2026
Now that they were on the run, this was the proper time to consolidate a resounding Redwall victory!
From "Redwall" by Brian Jacques
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.
