Origin: Latin suffix -ate
Consolidate has 7 different meanings across 1 category:
make firm or secure; strengthen
"consolidate one's gains"
"consolidate one's hold on first place"
bring together into a single whole or system
"The town and county schools are being consolidated"
To combine into a single unit; to group together or join.
"The manager decided to consolidate all the small offices into one large building to improve efficiency."
In plain English: To consolidate means to combine separate things into one single unit so they are stronger and easier to manage.
"After closing several small shops, the company decided to consolidate its operations into three larger locations."
Usage: Use consolidate when you want to merge separate items, such as debts or companies, into one unified entity for greater stability. This verb emphasizes the action of strengthening by combining rather than simply adding things together.
Formed into a solid mass; made firm; consolidated.
"The puddle of mud had consolidated into a hard, unyielding crust by morning."
"The company did not have enough consolidated cash flow to pay its debts immediately."
Borrowed from Latin consolidātus, from the verb consolidō, from solidus ("solid"). By surface analysis, con- + solid + -ate.