conˌglomeˈration: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Academic, Business
Quick answer
What does “conˌglomeˈration” mean?
A collection or mixture of different things, often disparate or varied in nature.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A collection or mixture of different things, often disparate or varied in nature.
1) The process of forming such a collection. 2) A large corporation formed by merging diverse companies.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. Slightly more common in British formal/academic writing to describe a mixed collection. In American business English, 'conglomerate' is more frequent for the corporate entity.
Connotations
Similar in both, suggesting a jumbled or heterogeneous mass.
Frequency
Low-frequency word in both dialects, primarily found in formal contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “conˌglomeˈration” in a Sentence
[a/an] + ADJ + conglomeration + of + NOUN (plural/uncountable)the conglomeration + VERB (singular)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “conˌglomeˈration” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The various protest groups conglomerated into a single, louder movement.
- Over centuries, sediment conglomerates at the river's mouth.
American English
- The startup was conglomerated into the larger tech holdings group.
- Debris conglomerated around the pillar after the flood.
adverb
British English
- (No common adverbial form. Use 'in a conglomerate manner' very rarely.)
American English
- (No common adverbial form.)
adjective
British English
- The conglomerate rock was smooth and rounded.
- She worked for a massive conglomerate corporation.
American English
- The exhibit was a conglomerate effort from three museums.
- They faced conglomerate power in the marketplace.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to a large parent company owning a diverse range of subsidiary businesses in unrelated industries.
Academic
Used to describe a heterogeneous mass or collection in fields like sociology, geology, or urban studies.
Everyday
Used humorously or critically to describe a messy pile or a group of very different people/things.
Technical
In geology, a rock consisting of large, rounded fragments cemented together.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “conˌglomeˈration”
Strong
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “conˌglomeˈration”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “conˌglomeˈration”
- Misspelling as 'conglomerization'.
- Using plural verb with 'conglomeration' (e.g., 'The conglomeration are...') – it's singular.
- Confusing with 'conglomerate' (which is the entity/rock itself; 'conglomeration' is the process or the state).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Conglomeration' refers to the *process* of coming together or the *state* of being a collected mass. 'Conglomerate' is the resulting *entity* itself (e.g., the rock, the corporation).
It is often neutral but can lean negative, implying a disorganized, random, or unwieldy mixture. Context is key. In business, it is neutral.
Yes, it can describe a diverse or seemingly random group of people, e.g., 'a conglomeration of tourists from every continent'.
To 'conglomerate'. However, it is less common than the noun. 'Amalgamate', 'merge', or 'cluster' are often used instead.
A collection or mixture of different things, often disparate or varied in nature.
Conˌglomeˈration is usually formal, academic, business in register.
Conˌglomeˈration: in British English it is pronounced /kənˌɡlɒm.əˈreɪ.ʃən/, and in American English it is pronounced /kənˌɡlɑː.məˈreɪ.ʃən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A conglomeration of...”
- “Form into a conglomeration”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'GLOM' in the middle – imagine a big, sticky ball that 'gloms' onto or collects many different things.
Conceptual Metaphor
A LUMP or BALL formed by sticking together disparate elements.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'conglomeration' most correctly?