Conglomerates

[noun, adjective kuh n-glom-er-it, kuh ng-; verb kuh n-glom-uh-reyt, kuh ng-] /noun, adjective kənˈglɒm ər ɪt, kəŋ-; verb kənˈglɒm əˌreɪt, kəŋ-/

noun
1.
anything composed of heterogeneous materials or elements.
2.
a corporation consisting of a number of subsidiary companies or divisions in a variety of unrelated industries, usually as a result of merger or acquisition.
3.
Geology. a rock consisting of pebbles or the like embedded in a finer cementing material; consolidated gravel.
adjective
4.
gathered into a rounded mass; consisting of parts so gathered; clustered.
5.
consisting of heterogeneous parts or elements.
6.
of or relating to a corporate conglomerate.
7.
Geology. of the nature of a conglomerate.
verb (used with object), conglomerated, conglomerating.
8.
to bring together into a cohering mass.
9.
to gather into a ball or rounded mass.
verb (used without object), conglomerated, conglomerating.
10.
to collect or cluster together.
11.
(of a company) to become part of or merge with a conglomerate.
noun (kənˈɡlɒmərɪt)
1.
a thing composed of heterogeneous elements; mass
2.
any coarse-grained sedimentary rock consisting of rounded fragments of rock embedded in a finer matrix Compare agglomerate (sense 3)
3.
a large corporation consisting of a group of companies dealing in widely diversified goods, services, etc
verb (kənˈɡlɒməˌreɪt)
4.
to form into a cluster or mass
adjective (kənˈɡlɒmərɪt)
5.
made up of heterogeneous elements; massed
6.
(of sedimentary rocks) consisting of rounded fragments within a finer matrix
adj.

1570s, from Latin conglomeratus, past participle of conglomerare “to roll together,” from com- “together” (see com-) + glomerare “to gather into a ball,” from glomus (genitive glomeris) “a ball,” from PIE root *glem-.
n.

“large business group,” 1967, from conglomerate (adj.).
v.

1590s, from Latin conglomeratus, past participle of conglomerare (see conglomerate (adj.)). Related: Conglomerated; conglomerating.

conglomerate con·glom·er·ate (kən-glŏm’ər-ĭt)
adj.
Gathered or aggregated into a mass.
con·glom’er·a’tion (-ə-rā’shən) n.
conglomerate
(kən-glŏm’ə-rāt’)
A coarse-grained sedimentary rock consisting of round rock fragments cemented together by hardened silt, clay, calcium carbonate, or a similar material. The fragments (known as clasts) have a diameter of at least 2 mm (0.08 inches), vary in composition and origin, and may include pebbles, cobbles, boulders, or fossilized seashells. Conglomerates often form through the transportation and deposition of sediments by streams, alluvial fans, and glaciers.
conglomerate [(kuhn-glom-uhr-uht)]

A corporation with diversified holdings that are acquired through mergers and acquisitions but that are not necessarily related.