Acquisitions are an essential part of the business world. It is a process of acquiring or purchasing a company, a business unit, or assets of another company. Acquisitions can be done for many reasons, such as expanding the business, diversifying the portfolio, or gaining market share. In this article, we will discuss the definition, meaning, and associations of acquisitions.
Definitions
Acquisitions can be defined as the process of acquiring or purchasing a company, a business unit, or assets of another company. It is a strategic move made by companies to expand their business. Acquisitions can be done through a merger, where two companies combine to form a new entity, or through the purchase of assets or shares of another company.
Origin
The word acquisition comes from the Latin word “acquisitio,” which means to acquire or gain. The term was first used in the context of business in the early 20th century when companies started to acquire other businesses to expand their operations.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Oxford Dictionary, an acquisition is “the act of acquiring something, especially a company or an asset.” The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines an acquisition as “the act of acquiring something, especially the acquisition of a company by another.” The Cambridge Dictionary defines an acquisition as “the process of getting something, especially a company, by buying it or obtaining it in some other way.”
Associations
Acquisitions are often associated with growth and expansion. Companies acquire other businesses to expand their operations, gain market share, or diversify their portfolio. Acquisitions can also be associated with consolidation, where companies merge to become more competitive in the market.
Synonyms
Some synonyms of acquisitions include purchase, takeover, merger, consolidation, and procurement.
Antonyms
Some antonyms of acquisitions include divestiture, sale, spin-off, and liquidation.
The same root words
Some words that have the same root as acquisitions include acquire, acquisition, acquisitive, and acquirer.
Example Sentences
- The company made an acquisition of a small startup to expand its operations.
- The acquisition of the competitor’s business helped the company gain a significant market share.
- The merger was a strategic move to consolidate the industry and become more competitive.
- The divestiture of the non-core business unit helped the company focus on its core operations.
- The company’s acquisitive nature has helped it become a dominant player in the market.