amalgamate

/əˌmælgəˈmeɪt/

Other forms: amalgamated; amalgamating; amalgamates

To amalgamate is to combine different things to create something new. Institutions — such as banks, schools, or hospitals — often join forces and amalgamate with one other. But other things — like musical genres — get amalgamated as well.

The verb amalgamate originally referred specifically to the mixture of metals; now however, it refers to any mixing or blending. A school board might decide to amalgamate two schools into one school due to a decrease in the student population, but amalgamating their mascots would be impossible.

Definitions of amalgamate

1. verb

   bring or combine together or with something else
   synonyms: commix, mingle, mix, unify

   types:

   aggregate, combine

   gather in a mass, sum, or whole

   concoct

   make a concoction (of) by mixing

   combine, compound

   combine so as to form a whole; mix

   blend, immingle, intermingle, intermix

   combine into one

   incorporate, integrate

   make into a whole or make part of a whole

   unitise, unitize

   make into a unit

   heterodyne

   combine (a radio frequency wave) with a locally generated wave of a different frequency so as to produce a new frequency equal to the sum or the difference between the two

   sulfurette, sulphurette

   combine with sulfur

   commingle

   mix or blend

   carburet

   combine with carbon

   type of:

   alter, change, modify

   cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
2. adjective

   joined together into a whole
   synonyms: amalgamated, coalesced, consolidated, fused

   united

   characterized by unity; being or joined into a single entity