conglomeration: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

'Conglomeration' refers to the *process* of gathering diverse elements or the *resulting mixture itself*. 'Conglomerate' is primarily a noun for the *corporate entity* formed by such a process or a type of *rock* (conglomerate).

It is typically neutral but often carries a slightly negative or critical connotation, suggesting a lack of order, planning, or harmony in the mixture (e.g., a 'chaotic conglomeration'). In business, it can be neutral but may imply unwieldiness.

Yes, it can describe a diverse group of people, often implying they are an unusual or motley assortment. For example: 'The audience was a strange conglomeration of artists, politicians, and tourists.'

The related verb is 'to conglomerate', meaning to gather or form into a mass or coherent whole. However, it is less common than the noun forms ('conglomerate', 'conglomeration').

A collection or mixture of many different and often unrelated things, people, or parts.

Conglomeration is usually formal, academic, business in register.

Conglomeration: 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.