/kən'sɒlɪdeɪt; kən`sɑlə,det/
v
1 [I, Tn] (cause sth to) become more solid, secure, or strong 使某事物巩固; 加固; 加强
*The time has come for the firm to consolidate after several years of rapid expansion. 公司经过几年的迅速发展之後, 该整顿一下了.
* With his new play he has consolidated his position as the country's leading dramatist. 他有了新创作的剧本, 巩固了他在国内的杰出剧作家的地位.
2 [I, Ipr, Tn, Tn.pr] ~ (sth) (into sth) (commerce 商) (cause things to) unite or combine (into one) （使事物）联合或合并
*All the debts have been consolidated. 所有债务均已合并.
* The two companies consolidated for greater efficiency. 这两家公司已合并以提高效率.

v [I and T]
[Date: 1500-1600; Language: Latin;Origin: , past participle of consolidare, from com- ( COM-) + solidus 'solid']
to strengthen the position of power or success that you have, so that it becomes more effective or continues for longer
　The company has consolidated its position as the country's leading gas supplier.
　The team consolidated their lead with a third goal.
to combine things in order to make them more effective or easier to deal with
　We consolidate information from a wide range of sources.
　They took out a loan to consolidate their debts.
　The company is planning to consolidate its business activities at a new site in Arizona.
>consolidation [kən,sɔlɪ'deɪʃən (US) -,sɑː-/