console

¹ American  

[kuhn-sohl] / kənˈsoʊl /

verb (used with object)

consoled, consoling

1. to alleviate or lessen the grief, sorrow, or disappointment of; give solace or comfort.

   Even his children could not console him when his wife died.

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console ² American  

[kon-sohl] / ˈkɒn soʊl /

noun

1. Also called video game console.  Also called game(s) console,.  Also called gaming console,.  a computer system specially made for playing video games by connecting it to a television or other display for video and sound.

2. the control or monitoring unit of a computer, containing the keyboard or keys, switches, etc.

3. a television, phonograph, or radio cabinet designed to stand on the floor rather than on a table or shelf.

4. a desklike structure containing the keyboards, pedals, etc., by means of which an organ is played.

5. a small cabinet standing on the floor and having doors.

6. console table.

7. the control unit of a mechanical, electrical, or electronic system.

   the console that controls a theater's lighting system.

8. Architecture. an ornamental corbel or bracket, especially one high in relation to its projection.

9. Automotive. a tray or container typically divided into compartments, mounted between bucket seats, and used for storing small items.

10. Nautical. a unit on a vessel containing steering apparatus, systems monitoring equipment, etc..

    a bridge console, an engine-room console.

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console ¹ British  

/ ˈkɒnsəʊl /

noun

1. an ornamental bracket, esp one used to support a wall fixture, bust, etc

2. the part of an organ comprising the manuals, pedals, stops, etc

3. a unit on which the controls of an electronic system are mounted

4. same as games console

5. a cabinet for a television, gramophone, etc, designed to stand on the floor

6. See console table

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console ² British  

/ kənˈsəʊl /

verb

1. to serve as a source of comfort to (someone) in disappointment, loss, sadness, etc

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Related Words

See comfort.

Other Word Forms

• consolable adjective
• consoler noun
• consolingly adverb
• inconsolable adjective
• unconsolable adjective
• unconsolably adverb
• unconsoled adjective

Etymology

Origin of console¹

First recorded in 1685–95; either from French consoler or directly from Latin consōlārī, equivalent to con- con- + sōlārī “to soothe” ( solace ); perhaps akin to Old English sǣl “happiness” ( seely )

Origin of console²

First recorded in 1700–10; from French; Middle French consolle “bracket, support,” apparently shortening of consolateur (attested in Middle French with same sense), literally, “one who consoles” (from Late Latin consōlātor; console ¹ , -ator ), perhaps because such supports served as rests in choir stalls, etc.; misericord

Explanation

Perhaps you avoid babysitting your baby brother because you're worried that if he starts to cry, you won’t be able to console him or make him feel better. Or maybe you just hate changing diapers. You usually try to console someone by providing encouragement and offering solace. Others try to console themselves with tubs of ice cream. From the Latin word consolari, meaning “to comfort,” the noun console can also describe a central control panel. In an automobile, the controls for both the radio and air-conditioning are in the same center console.

Example Sentences

Police didn’t take Boyd’s second phone, which had been in his truck’s console.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026

Leaning across the center console, he flung open the passenger door.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

Sony raised PlayStation 5 and Pro console prices by $100 to $150, with the PS5 Pro now $899.99, effective April 2.

From Barron's • Mar. 27, 2026

"The only generation that the console prices are going up and not down," added another user.

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026

Dad always used to keep a tin of the candy in the console of his car, and I’d always sneak outside and pick out the pineapple ones.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam

Related Words

• assuage
• soothe