consolidate
Americanverb (used with object)
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to bring together (separate parts) into a single or unified whole; unite; combine.
They consolidated their three companies.
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to discard the unused or unwanted items of and organize the remaining.
She consolidated her home library.
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to make solid or firm; solidify; strengthen.
to consolidate gains.
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Military. to strengthen by rearranging the position of ground combat troops after a successful attack.
verb (used without object)
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to unite or combine.
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to become solid or firm.
adjective
verb
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to form or cause to form into a solid mass or whole; unite or be united
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to make or become stronger or more stable
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military to strengthen or improve one's control over (a situation, force, newly captured area, etc)
Other Word Forms
- consolidator noun
- preconsolidate verb
- reconsolidate verb
- unconsolidating adjective
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
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.
It has since continued to consolidate its business.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 2, 2026
Italy’s UniCredit recently moved to increase its share of German No. 2 Commerzbank above 30%, which would allow it to consolidate control on the open market.
From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026
To preserve their access to these plans parent borrowers need to consolidate their loans and make at least one payment under an income-driven plan before the deadline.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 27, 2026
Firms see opportunities to consolidate the fragmented industries and resell combined companies for a profit.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 25, 2026
Nevertheless, when Úrsula realized that she had not had enough time to consolidate the vocation of José Arcadio, she let herself be disturbed by consternation.
From "One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
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.
