English Reference
verb

consolidate

v.
US /kənˈsɑɫɪˌdeɪt/ con·sol·i·date UK spelling consolidates, consolidating

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate

    to join two or more things together to make one single, stronger unit.

    to combine multiple items, departments, or entities into a single, more efficient whole.

    Simple

    The company decided to consolidate its three offices into one large building downtown.

    In context

    The administration plans to consolidate several smaller departments to reduce overhead costs and streamline the decision-making process.

  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate

    to make your power, position, or success more solid and likely to continue.

    to strengthen or solidify a position, power, or success to ensure it remains stable.

    Simple

    The team's latest win helped them consolidate their lead in the league.

    In context

    After the merger, the new CEO moved quickly to consolidate her power by appointing loyal allies to the board of directors.

  3. 03 C1 Advanced Technical Cooking

    to combine several different debts into one single loan, often with a lower interest rate.

    to combine multiple financial debts into a single loan, typically to achieve a more manageable repayment structure.

    Simple

    He took out a new loan to consolidate his credit card debts into one monthly payment.

    In context

    Financial advisors often suggest that graduates consolidate their student loans to benefit from a fixed interest rate and simplified billing.

Goïta named himself defence minister shortly after, in an apparent attempt to consolidate his already considerable power.

BBC News· 13 Aug 2026

When we are asleep, our brain consolidates the memories of the day, processes emotions, and solves problems that defied it in the waking hours.

BBC News· 19 Jul 2026

Borrowed from Latin consolidātus, from the verb consolidō, from solidus (“solid”). By surface analysis, con- + solid + -ate.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Frequent
Updated