consolidation

Definition 1

Accounting: (1) Combining assets, equity, liabilities and operating accounts of a parent firm and its subsidiaries into one financial statement. See also consolidated financial statement. (2) Combining two or more firms through purchase, merger, or ownership transfer to form a new firm.

Definition 2

Banking: Paying off two or more old loans with a new loan. See also consolidation loan.

Definition 3

Law: Combining two actions (involving the same parties and the same issues) into one action on court orders. Consolidation may or may not result in a single judgment.

Definition 4

Shipping: Combining several smaller shipments into a full container load or a large shipment to avail of better freight rates. Also called groupage.