consul

American  

[kon-suhl] / ˈkɒn səl /

noun

1. an official appointed by the government of one country to look after its commercial interests and the welfare of its citizens in another country.

2. either of the two chief magistrates of the ancient Roman republic.

3. French History. one of the three supreme magistrates of the First Republic during the period 1799–1804.

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consul British  

/ ˈkɒnsəl, ˈkɒnsjʊlə /

noun

1. an official appointed by a sovereign state to protect its commercial interests and aid its citizens in a foreign city

2. (in ancient Rome) either of two annually elected magistrates who jointly exercised the highest authority in the republic

3. (in France from 1799 to 1804) any of the three chief magistrates of the First Republic

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Commonly Confused

See council.

Other Word Forms

• consular adjective
• consulship noun
• subconsul noun
• subconsulship noun

Etymology

Origin of consul

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin; a derivative of consulere “to take counsel, consult”; consult

Example Sentences

According to the consul, Mexico is currently the sixth most visited country in the world and the vast majority of tourists who visit the country have no major complaints.

From Los Angeles Times

As the UK's consul general between 2016 and 2017 Dame Antonia's job involved promoting UK trade and business in New York, in the immediate aftermath of the referendum to take Britain out of the EU.

From BBC

A follow-up message from the consul included photos of oil spurting into the sky.

From The Wall Street Journal

One of Sun’s most frequent contacts while she served in New York state’s executive chamber was China’s local consul general, Huang Ping.

From The Wall Street Journal

Kiep soon resigned as consul general, but he still was sent on trade missions.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• envoy