conglomerate
/kənˈɡlɒmərət/ (bre, ipa) · /kənˈɡlɑːmərət/ (ame, ipa) · /kən-ˈglä-mə-rət -ˈgläm-/ (ame, mw)
conglomerate — noun
- conglomeratesingular
- conglomeratesplural
1. a very large corporation created when one company buys or merges with several ot
a very large corporation created when one company buys or merges with several others that make very different kinds of products or offer very different kinds of services
The media conglomerate owns television stations, newspapers, and a film studio across three continents.
collocation: media conglomerate
A Japanese electronics conglomerate recently acquired a European pharmaceutical firm.
The conglomerate sold its food division and used the money to expand its energy business.
Vikram joined the conglomerate right after finishing his MBA and now manages four subsidiaries.
- corporation
a broader term for any large business organization, not necessarily covering unrelated industries
- holding company
exists mainly to own shares of other companies and may not be involved in their daily operations
- combine
an older or more informal term for a group of businesses acting together, sometimes with a negative connotation of monopoly
用法筆記
Often used with an industry label before it, such as 'media conglomerate', 'industrial conglomerate', or 'financial conglomerate', to specify the sector.
常見錯誤
2. a type of sedimentary rock made of small, rounded pebbles or stones that are nat
a type of sedimentary rock made of small, rounded pebbles or stones that are naturally bonded together by a finer material such as clay, sand, or calcium carbonate
The hikers noticed a layer of conglomerate along the riverbank, with smooth pebbles locked in hardened sand.
Chioma collected a sample of conglomerate from the quarry for her geology class.
collocation: sample of conglomerate
Geologists use the size and shape of the stones in a conglomerate to understand the ancient river that deposited them.
The quarry exposed a thick bed of conglomerate that formed during the last ice age.
- puddingstone
an informal term for a type of conglomerate with very large, conspicuous pebbles
- breccia
similar to conglomerate but made of angular rather than rounded fragments
3. a collection of various different items, people, or elements that are combined i
a collection of various different items, people, or elements that are combined into a single mass or group, often without a clear unifying pattern
The downtown market is a conglomerate of food stalls, antique shops, and small art galleries.
conglomerate of [mixed elements]
The committee was a surprising conglomerate of scientists, artists, and business leaders.
The band's latest album is a conglomerate of jazz, electronic beats, and traditional folk melodies.
The garden is a strange conglomerate of native plants and imported tropical species.
- mixture
more general and less technical; can describe any combination of things
- composite
emphasises that the parts work together as a single unit
- assemblage
suggests a deliberate gathering of items, often for display or study
用法筆記
Followed by 'of + plural noun' to list the various components. More formal than alternatives such as 'mix' or 'collection'.
conglomerate — adjective
- conglomeratepositive
- more conglomeratecomparative
- most conglomeratesuperlative
1. formed by combining many different parts, materials, or sources into one mixed m
formed by combining many different parts, materials, or sources into one mixed mass, with the different elements still recognisable
The museum exhibit presents a conglomerate picture of the city, blending colonial architecture with modern glass towers.
Noa described the neighbourhood as a conglomerate community where immigrant traditions and local customs mix freely.
collocation: conglomerate community / culture
The conglomerate population of the port city includes people from more than forty different countries.
The composer created a conglomerate sound by mixing classical orchestra with hip-hop beats.
- homogeneous
made of parts of the same kind; uniform in composition
用法筆記
Less common than the noun senses. Mostly used in formal or academic writing to describe societies, cultures, or compositions made of clearly distinguishable parts.
conglomerate — verb
- conglomeratepresent simple I / you / we / they
- conglomerates3rd person singular
- conglomerating-ing form
- conglomeratedpast simple
1. to gather or collect many different items, elements, or groups into a single mas
to gather or collect many different items, elements, or groups into a single mass or whole; to accumulate into one body
Over several centuries, the small villages conglomerated into a busy market town.
intransitive: conglomerate + into
The company conglomerated five smaller brands under one management team to reduce costs.
transitive: conglomerate + object + into
Dust and loose fibres conglomerate in the corners of the old warehouse if nobody sweeps.
The three political parties conglomerated into one alliance before the election.
- accumulate
suggests gradual increase over time without necessarily forming a single unified mass
- amass
implies careful or determined gathering, often of wealth or resources
- consolidate
more common in business; emphasises making something stronger or more efficient by combining
- disperse
to break apart and spread in different directions
文法句型
conglomerate + object
conglomerate (intransitive) — often + into
用法筆記
Much rarer than the noun form. In business writing, 'merged' or 'consolidated' is far more common. When used, it is often in its past participle form ('conglomerated') as part of a noun phrase.