Words / C1

k-uh-n-GLOM-uh-r-uh-t/kənˈɡlɒmərət/

A conglomerate is a large company formed from several different businesses: a media conglomerate. Corporation is broader; group is everyday in business names (a publishing group); empire is metaphorical and critical. In speech, a huge company with lots of parts is enough. Use it when diversity of businesses is the point, not for a single-shop brand.

Meaning

A large company formed from several different businesses.

Examples

• “The media conglomerate owns several newspapers.”
• “The conglomerate owns newspapers, radio, and a streaming platform.”
• “Local bookshops cannot match a conglomerate on discounts, only on advice.”

Good to know

A huge multi-business company. Broader: corporation. Everyday: a huge company with many parts. Metaphor: empire (critical).

Near in meaning

corporation

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