Definition of "consortium" []

• An association or a combination, as of businesses, financial institutions, or investors, for the purpose of engaging in a joint venture. (noun)
• A cooperative arrangement among groups or institutions: a library consortium. (noun)
• An association or society. (noun)
• Law The right of a spouse to the company of, help of, affection of, and sexual relations with his or her mate. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "The consortium is just one part of a growing movement uniting academics, librarians, developers, and players around game preservation."
• "Lynas says that the Lewis Wind Power consortium is "bitterly disappointed" by the Scottish Executive's decision."
• "Anything borrowed via the statewide consortium is fair game."