consul
Americannoun
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an official appointed by the government of one country to look after its commercial interests and the welfare of its citizens in another country.
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either of the two chief magistrates of the ancient Roman republic.
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French History. one of the three supreme magistrates of the First Republic during the period 1799–1804.
noun
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an official appointed by a sovereign state to protect its commercial interests and aid its citizens in a foreign city
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(in ancient Rome) either of two annually elected magistrates who jointly exercised the highest authority in the republic
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(in France from 1799 to 1804) any of the three chief magistrates of the First Republic
Commonly Confused
See council.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of consul
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin; a derivative of consulere “to take counsel, consult”; see origin at consult
Explanation
A consul is a diplomat appointed to live in a foreign country, to protect both her country's interests and citizens living abroad. If you're an American living in Poland, take your troubles to the American consul. In ancient Rome, there were two consuls elected every year to be in charge of the whole city. Like many words, this one developed new meanings and spellings. One of those is council, like your city council, who make up part of city government. The other is consul in the modern sense: the person from one country who is appointed to represent his country to a foreign government.
Vocabulary lists containing consul
Before We Were Free
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The Roman Republic, Lessons 1–2
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Chapter 11: Rome: Republic to Empire
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
After Dimon spoke, the British Consul General for New York took to the stage and asked the audience for two cheers—first for Trump, then for Charles.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 21, 2025
Invited by then American Consul General Addison Southard, Hemingway’s first visit proved the beginning of a habit.
From Salon • Jul. 12, 2025
Carlos González Gutiérrez, Consul General of Mexico in Los Angeles, said his team has identified at least 11 Mexican nationals who were detained during raids across the Southland.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 6, 2025
United States Consul General Stuart Wilson attended the hearing, which took place behind closed doors because authorities say details of the criminal case against the American journalist are classified.
From Seattle Times • Jan. 25, 2024
SWAN: Consul Washburn has been airlifted by helicopter to protect his life.
From "Before We Were Free" by Julia Alvarez
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
