CONSOLIDATE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does consolidate mean? 

• CONSOLIDATE (verb)
  The verb CONSOLIDATE has 5 senses:

1. unite into one

2. make firm or secure; strengthen

3. bring together into a single whole or system

4. form into a solid mass or whole

5. make or form into a solid or hardened mass

  Familiarity information: CONSOLIDATE used as a verb is common.

 Dictionary entry details 

• CONSOLIDATE (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they consolidate    ... he / she / it consolidates   
Past simple: consolidated   
Past participle: consolidated   
-ing form: consolidating   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Unite into one

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Context example:

The companies consolidated

Hypernyms (to "consolidate" is one way to...):

merge; unify; unite (become one)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s

Derivation:

consolidation (the act of combining into an integral whole)

consolidative (tending to consolidate)

consolidative (combining into a single unit)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Make firm or secure; strengthen

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Context example:

consolidate one's hold on first place

Hypernyms (to "consolidate" is one way to...):

strengthen (gain strength)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Sense 3

Meaning:

Bring together into a single whole or system

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Context example:

The town and county schools are being consolidated

Hypernyms (to "consolidate" is one way to...):

merge; unify; unite (join or combine)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Derivation:

consolidation (the act of combining into an integral whole)

consolidative (tending to consolidate)

consolidative (combining into a single unit)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Form into a solid mass or whole

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Context example:

The mud had consolidated overnight

Hypernyms (to "consolidate" is one way to...):

solidify (become solid)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Something is ----ing PP

Derivation:

consolidation (combining into a solid mass)

consolidation (something that has consolidated into a compact mass)

Sense 5

Meaning:

Make or form into a solid or hardened mass

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Context example:

consolidate fibers into boards

Hypernyms (to "consolidate" is one way to...):

solidify (make solid or more solid; cause to solidify)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Derivation:

consolidation (combining into a solid mass)

 Context examples 

Granular, partially consolidated snow that has passed through one summer melt season but is not yet glacial ice.

(Firn, NOAA Paleoclimate Glossary)

The act of consolidating power under a central control; the process by which the activities of an organization, particularly those regarding decision-making; become concentrated within a particular location and/or group.

(Centralization, NCI Thesaurus)

Second, by looking at the brain waves, Dr. Bönstrup found activity patterns that suggested the volunteers’ brains were consolidating, or solidifying, memories during the rest periods.

(Brains may use short rest periods to strengthen memories, National Institutes of Health)

Moreover, the shift from deep, consolidated sleep in youth to fitful, dissatisfying sleep can start as early as one's 30s, paving the way for sleep-related cognitive and physical ailments in middle age.

(Deep Sleep May Act as Fountain of Youth in Old Age, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)