# consolidate

Pronunciation: say "kuhn-SOL-uh-dayt" US /kənˈsɑ.lə.deɪt/, AUS /kənˈsɔl.ə.dæɪt/; UK say "kuhn-SOL-i-dayt" /kənˈsɒl.ɪ.deɪt/

## Verb

1. To combine separate things into a single unit, or to group them together as one.
   - Simple: To join several separate things together into one.
   - _The board voted to consolidate the regional branches under one management team._
   - _Several small districts were consolidated into a single school system._
2. To make something stronger, firmer, or more secure.
   - Simple: To make something stronger or more solid.
   - _The new general worked to consolidate his authority over the region._
   - _Sleep helps consolidate the memories formed during the day._
3. To pay off several separate debts by taking out a single loan that covers them.
   - Simple: To pay off many separate debts by taking out one new loan.
   - _Many graduates consolidate their student loans to simplify repayment._
   - _He consolidated several high-interest debts into a single bank loan._

## Adjective

4. Formed into a solid mass; made firm and compact. *(obsolete)*
   - Simple: Made firm and solid, packed into one hard mass.

## Origin

Borrowed from Latin consolidātus, from the verb consolidō, which comes from solidus ("solid"). It can be broken down as con- + solid + -ate.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/consolidate (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).