consortium

noun

con·​sor·​tium kən-ˈsȯr-sh(ē-)əm How to pronounce consortium (audio)
-ˈsȯr-tē-əm
plural consortia kən-ˈsȯr-sh(ē-)ə How to pronounce consortium (audio)
-ˈsȯr-tē-ə
also consortiums
1
: an agreement, combination, or group (as of companies) formed to undertake an enterprise beyond the resources of any one member
A consortium of researchers decoded the honeybee genome.
2
3
: the legal right of one spouse to the company, affection, and assistance of and to sexual relations with the other

Examples of consortium in a Sentence

A Japanese consortium invested millions in the technology. a consortium for the prevention of animal cruelty
Recent Examples on the Web The Milwaukee Brewery Association — a consortium of the city's six big breweries, Schlitz, Miller, Blatz, Pabst, Gettelman and Independent Milwaukee, which made Braumeister — resisted. Chris Foran, Journal Sentinel, 8 May 2024 During a fireside chat, Gov.Hochul discussed a new AI consortium involving universities and state schools. Melissa Noel, Essence, 8 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for consortium 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'consortium.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin, fellowship, from consort-, consors — see consort entry 1

First Known Use

1829, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of consortium was in 1829

Dictionary Entries Near consortium

Cite this Entry

“Consortium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/consortium. Accessed 10 May. 2024.

Legal Definition

consortium

noun
con·​sor·​tium kən-ˈsȯr-shəm; -shē-əm How to pronounce consortium (audio)
plural consortia -shə, -shē-ə How to pronounce consortium (audio) also consortiums
1
: an agreement, combination, or group (as of companies) formed to undertake an enterprise beyond the resources of any one member
2
[Medieval Latin, marital partnership, from Latin] : the right of one spouse to the company, affection, and assistance of and to sexual relations with the other
also : the right of a parent or child to the company, affection, and assistance of the other
suing for loss of consortium
compare society
Etymology

Latin, sharing, partnership, from consort-, consors sharer, partner

More from Merriam-Webster on consortium

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