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Added 9 October 2026

conglomerate

/kənˈɡlɒm.(ə.)ɹɪt/ noun

In Latin: conglomero Wiktionary

noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about conglomerate at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

A cluster of heterogeneous things.
A corporation formed by the combination of several smaller corporations whose activities are unrelated to the corporation's primary activity.
A rock consisting of gravel or pebbles embedded in a matrix.

adjective

Clustered together into a mass.
conglomerate flowers
Composed of fragments of rock, pebbles, or stones cemented together.
Made up of heterogeneous elements; composite.

verb

To combine together into a larger mass.
To combine together into a larger corporation.

Origin

First attested in the second part of the 16ᵗʰ century; from Latin conglomerātus, perfect passive participle of conglomerō (“to pile into a heap, to roll together”) (see -ate (Etymology 1, 2 and 3)), from con- (prefix indicating a being or bringing together of several objects) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *ḱóm (“beside, by, near, with”)) + glomerāre (from glomerō (“to pile into a heap, to make into a ball, glomerate”), from glomus (“ball of thread; ball-shaped mass”), from Proto-Indo-European *gel- (“to form into a ball; ball”)).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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