debt consolidation

American

[det kuhn-sol-i-dey-shuhn] / ˈdɛt kən sɒl ɪˌdeɪ ʃən /

noun

Finance.

the combining of several smaller loans into a single new loan in order to obtain better terms, as a lower interest rate.

Etymology

Origin of debt consolidation

First recorded in 1925–30

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.

I know that’s not easy, which is perhaps why you’re intrigued by options like debt consolidation and hiring someone to negotiate down your bills.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 30, 2026

WSJ | Buy Side: Save money and pay off debt faster with debt consolidation.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 20, 2026

“SoFi marketing shifts from debt consolidation to smart upfront financing.”

From Barron's • Jan. 12, 2026

“We find a substantial increase in bankruptcy rates, debt collections, debt consolidation loans, and auto loan delinquencies” in those states, they wrote, consonant with an increase in excessive debt among players.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 11, 2024

With a debt consolidation loan, you’ll only owe one lender instead of multiple.

From Slate • Feb. 5, 2024

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023