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

Example Sentences

Nintendo also has The Super Mario Galaxy Movie release on April 1, which could lead to improved merchandise, or even Switch 2 console sales.

From Barron's • Mar. 28, 2026

Another described the move as "disgusting" and said "prices should be going down not up this late into the generation" of the console.

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026

Other options for devices without VPN support are connecting them to a VPN router or sharing your computer’s VPN connection with your console.

From Salon • Mar. 13, 2026

The original is now the second top-selling console of all time after Sony's PlayStation 2, boosted by the popularity of games including "Animal Crossing".

From Barron's • Mar. 11, 2026

The centaur flicked a few important-looking switches on the main console.

From "Artemis Fowl" by Eoin Colfer

Related Words

• assuage
• soothe