Merger definition

The act or an instance of merging.

An absorption of one corporation by another, with the corporation being absorbed losing its separate identity and governance.

(law) An absorption of a lesser estate, contract, criminal offense, right, or liability into a succeeding larger one, resulting in the extinction of the former.

A merging.

The definition of a merger is a combining of multiple elements, particularly corporations, into one.

The process of two or more companies combining. In one model, one company retains its name and often most of its top management. This company acquires all the assets and liabilities of the firm being acquired, which ceases to exist after the merger is completed. Another type of a merger is a consolidation, in which a completely new firm is created and both the other two firms cease to exist. Often, mergers are classified into three types: vertical, horizontal, or conglomerate. A vertical merger involves combining a company with its supplier or customer. A horizontal merger combines two companies that are direct competitors making the same products. A conglomerate merger involves two companies that are not in related industries or businesses.

In contract law, the action of superceding all prior written or oral agreements on the same subject matter.

In criminal law, the inclusion of a lesser offense within a more serious one, rather than charging it separately, which might cause double jeopardy.

In litigation, the doctrine that all of the plaintiff’s prior claims are superceded by the judgment in the case, which becomes the plaintiff’s sole means of recovering from the defendant.

The combination under modern codes of civil procedure of law and equity into a single court.

In corporate law, the acquisition of one company by another, and their combination into a single legal entity.