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
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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consolidatesimple
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consolidatessimple
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have consolidatedperfect
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has consolidatedperfect
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am consolidatingprogressive
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are consolidatingprogressive
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is consolidatingprogressive
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have been consolidatingperfect progressive
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has been consolidatingperfect progressive
Past
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consolidatedsimple
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had consolidatedperfect
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was consolidatingprogressive
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were consolidatingprogressive
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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
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The Hunger Games
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100 SAT words Beginning with "C"
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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.
See Examples For:
That gave him clear air and enabled the Dutchman to consolidate his race position in third place behind the McLarens, laying the foundations for Red Bull's late strategy call.
From BBC ● Jul. 26, 2026
Discovery are “temporarily enjoined and restrained from closing or consummating the transaction or taking any steps, directly or indirectly, to integrate or consolidate their operations pursuant to the transaction.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 20, 2026
He wrote in the Times he wanted "an even closer relationship with countries across Europe" to "consolidate the progress made on the existing UK-EU negotiations".
From Barron's ● Jul. 19, 2026
“This transaction would further consolidate an already concentrated media landscape, reducing competition at a moment when our industries—and the audiences we serve—can least afford it,” the letter said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 13, 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
When we are asleep, our brain consolidates the memories of the day, processes emotions, and solves problems that defied it in the waking hours.
From BBC ● Jul. 19, 2026
On the other, Ellison consolidates content production across multiple major networks.
From Salon ● Jun. 21, 2026
In recent years, EA has undergone several rounds of layoffs, as the gaming industry consolidates.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 14, 2026
The news comes as the media and entertainment universe consolidates, cutting both costs and staff amid a shift away from movie theaters and traditional television.
From MarketWatch ● May 11, 2026
In astronomy this is true; but in all the other fields of scientific enquiry the word consolidates a conceptual revolution.
From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton
Another trial in that consolidated set of cases is slated for February.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026
Lawsuits against them have been consolidated into a class-action case, which is pending in New York federal court.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 21, 2026
"There are many unstable and uncertain external factors, and the domestic contradiction of strong supply and weak demand is prominent. The foundation for the economy to improve still needs to be consolidated," it added.
From Barron's ● Jul. 15, 2026
If it’s the case that El-Sayed has already consolidated the progressive vote, and the undecideds are more moderate, risk-averse Democrats, it could be a very close contest.
From Slate ● Jul. 11, 2026
Holt consolidated the parcels and sold them to the federal government for the flying field and laboratory.
From "Hidden Figures" by Margot Lee Shetterly
The third slot remains up for grabs, with neither Josh Tongue nor Saqib Mahmood consolidating their place in the side.
From BBC ● Jul. 20, 2026
These actions included things like changing the title on bank accounts and other property, redirecting household bills, canceling credit cards, consolidating retirement accounts, making Roth conversions and giving away money.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 17, 2026
It would expand U.S.-Israel cooperation in missile and drone defense, anti-tunneling, cyber warfare and AI, while consolidating existing programs to promote accountability.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 1, 2026
The food-delivery market is consolidating around major players amid thin margins and reduced venture capital.
From Barron's ● May 26, 2026
Someone—probably Madoc, possibly Balekin, maybe even one of the other minor kings or queens—could squat there like a spider, consolidating power.
From "The Cruel Prince" by Holly Black
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.
