What is the term for the combination of two or more companies into a single firm?

The term that most accurately describes the combination of two or more companies into a single firm is a merger. In a merger, two or more companies come together to form a new, unified organization, typically with shared resources, management, and operations. This process often aims to create synergies, increase market share, or improve competitive positioning within the industry.

While consolidation and amalgamation may sound similar and are sometimes used interchangeably in certain contexts, they refer to different nuances in company combinations. Consolidation usually implies the absorption of one company by another, where the original companies cease to exist independently, forming a new entity in the process. Amalgamation carries a similar meaning but often emphasizes the blending of different businesses into a new firm more than a merger does.

A joint venture, on the other hand, refers to a partnership where two or more separate entities collaborate on a specific project while remaining independent from one another. This represents a less permanent arrangement compared to the more definitive consolidation of companies that a merger involves.