Definition
To consolidate is to make many into one solid — the Latin solidus sits unhidden in the middle of the word. Companies consolidate scattered offices; armies consolidate gains before advancing; the sleeping brain consolidates the day's learning into memory. The trade is always the same: a dozen small, loose holdings exchanged for a single firm one. What is consolidated stops being a collection and becomes a structure — and structures, unlike collections, do not blow away.
Examples
- After three quick victories, the team paused to consolidate its momentum.
- The bank consolidated its twelve regional branches into a single headquarters.
- Sleep helps the brain consolidate new knowledge into lasting memory.
Collocations
consolidate gains·consolidate power·consolidate debt·consolidate its position·memory consolidation
Synonyms
strengthen·unify·merge·combine·cement
Antonyms
fragment·disperse·dissipate
Word family
consolidation (noun)·consolidated (adjective)
In TOEFL & IELTS
TOEFL psychology passages lean on 'memory consolidation' — sleep converting experience into storage — as a literal technical term, while history passages have rulers 'consolidating power'. IELTS business topics use consolidating debts and market positions. The collocation set is the real asset: consolidate gains, power, position, debt, memory — five exam contexts, one verb.