consolidation
UK: kənˌsɒlɪˈdeɪʃən | US: kənˌsɑːlɪˈdeɪʃən
n. the act or process of combining several things into a single, more effective or coherent whole
n. (business) the merging of companies or assets
n. (medicine) the process of becoming solid or firm, as in lung tissue
Derived from Latin consolidare ("to make firm"), combining con- (intensive prefix meaning "together") and solidus ("solid"). The word originally described physical solidification (e.g., healing bones) in the 16th century, later expanding metaphorically to organizational and financial contexts in the 19th century. The morpheme solid retains its core meaning of firmness throughout its evolution.
The consolidation of smaller firms created a market leader.
Lung consolidation visible on the X-ray indicated pneumonia.
Data consolidation improved the efficiency of the analysis.
The treaty led to the political consolidation of the region.
Memory consolidation occurs during deep sleep.