aggregation
ag-ruh-GAY-shun
/ˌæɡ.rɪˈɡeɪ.ʃən/
The formation of a number of things into a cluster.
In agriculture, this often refers to 'food hubs' where small farmers combine their produce to meet the volume requirements of large buyers.
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'aggregare', meaning 'to add to a flock' (from 'grex', meaning flock). It’s the same root found in 'gregarious' (someone who likes to be in a flock/group).
Word relationships
- consolidation: Consolidation implies making things stronger or more solid; aggregation is simply the act of bringing them together into a group.
- dispersion: The act of spreading things out or scattering them.
Commonly confused with
- segregation: Segregation is keeping things apart; aggregation is bringing them together.
Word family
- aggregate (verb): To collect into a mass or whole.
- aggregate (noun): A whole formed by combining several elements.
Collocations
- data aggregation
- aggregation point
- product aggregation
Example sentences
- "Aggregation allows small-scale organic farmers to compete with industrial giants by pooling their yields." Small farm economics.
- "The aggregation of consumer data helps retailers predict which fruits will be in high demand." Data science.
Memory hook
A 'GREG' (group) 'ATION' (action) of herding things together. Aggregation is 'strength in numbers'.
When not to use
Don't use it for a simple pile of things; it implies a structured or purposeful gathering.
Fun facts
- In the digital age, 'news aggregators' like Google News do for information what food hubs do for carrots: they bring it all into one place for convenience.
Related words
Explore more words
aggregate, agribusiness, smallholder, coalesce, agrarian, disaggregation
Take your vocabulary further with LangBlitz
Our English vocabulary app: FSRS spaced repetition, 5,000+ curated words across 119 topic groups, CEFR A1 to C2. Explore your mastery with the beautiful Vocabulary World feature.