conglomerate
UK: kənˈɡlɒmərət | US: kənˈɡlɑːmərət
n. a large corporation composed of diverse, often unrelated businesses
n. a mixture of varied components; a mass formed by cohesion
vt. to gather or form into a clustered mass
Derived from Latin conglomeratus (past participle of conglomerare), combining con- (intensive prefix meaning "together") and glomerare ("to wind into a ball," from glomus, meaning "ball of yarn"). The imagery of winding or clustering into a unified mass reflects the word’s modern meanings—both literal (a clustered physical mass) and metaphorical (a corporate entity formed by merging diverse businesses).
The multinational conglomerate owns companies in tech, healthcare, and entertainment.
Over time, sediment and pebbles conglomerate into solid rock.
Critics argue that media conglomerates reduce competition in the industry.
The dessert was a conglomerate of chocolate, nuts, and caramel.
Small startups often struggle to compete with established conglomerates.