consolidation

noun

con·​sol·​i·​da·​tion kən-ˌsä-lə-ˈdā-shən 

1

: the act or process of consolidating : the state of being consolidated

2

: the process of uniting : the quality or state of being united

specifically : the unification of two or more corporations by dissolution of existing ones and creation of a single new corporation

3

: pathological alteration of lung tissue from an aerated condition to one of solid consistency

4

: the process by which a new memory is converted into a form that is stable and long-lasting

Initially fragile memories can gain stability via consolidation, but the extent to which sleep contributes to this process is unresolved …

—John D. Rudoy et al.

Synonyms

• combination
• combining
• connecting
• connection
• coupling
• junction
• linking
• merger
• merging
• unification
• union

Examples of consolidation in a Sentence

the consolidation of several intelligence agencies into one super agency

Recent Examples on the Web

The evolution of the PBMs Medco and Express Scripts tells a story of how one way of controlling the drug supply chain by being joined at the hip with a pharmaceutical manufacturer, over time morphed into a different version of a similarly problematic consolidation. —Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024

The acquisition is the latest sign of consolidation in the music industry, raising concern among some critics. —Wendy Lee, Los Angeles Times, 16 Dec. 2024

The leadership changes at Banff follows Sean Cohan, president of Bell Media, becoming chair of Banff’s board of directors just as the entertainment industry is contracting after the end of Peak TV and another round of industry consolidation, especially among streaming giants, appears likely. —Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Dec. 2024

After two years of massive layoffs and the promise of more consolidation to come in media and entertainment in 2025, the mood is bleak among executives of a certain age. —Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 14 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

consolidation

noun

con·​sol·​i·​da·​tion kən-ˌsäl-ə-ˈdā-shən 

1

: the process by which an infected lung passes from an aerated collapsible condition to one of airless solid consistency through the accumulation of exudate in the alveoli and adjoining ducts

pneumonic consolidation

also : tissue that has undergone consolidation

areas of consolidation

2

: the process by which a new memory is converted into a form that is stable and long-lasting

Initially fragile memories can gain stability via consolidation, but the extent to which sleep contributes to this process is unresolved …

—John D. Rudoy et al.