consulate

American  

[kon-suh-lit] / ˈkɒn sə lɪt /

noun

1. the premises officially occupied by a consul.

2. the position, work, authority, or term of service of a consul.

3. (often initial capital letter) a government by consuls, as in France from 1799 to 1804.

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consulate British  

/ ˈkɒnsjʊlɪt /

noun

1. the business premises or residence of a consul

2. government by consuls

3. the office or period of office of a consul or consuls

4. (often capital)

   1. the government of France by the three consuls from 1799 to 1804

   2. this period of French history

5. (often capital)

   1. the consular government of the Roman republic

   2. the office or rank of a Roman consul

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Etymology

Origin of consulate

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin consulātus, equivalent to consul consul + -ātus -ate ³

Example Sentences

Jamshidi has family members, including his brother—who worked in a high-risk post as a security guard for the U.S. consulate in Herat, Afghanistan, for years—his sister-in-law, niece and nephew stuck in Camp As Sayliyah.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 7, 2026

The consulate in San Bernardino said it contacted Ramos-Solano’s family to provide assistance and support.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026

While other teams might import a player here and there, Illinois essentially functions as college basketball consulate for Eastern Europe.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 25, 2026

In the Pakistani megacity of Karachi, an AFP journalist witnessed hundreds of pro-Iranian protesters trying to enter the US consulate, prompting clashes with police.

From Barron's • Mar. 1, 2026

“Sierra Leone consulate, ahh, embassy,” I told the driver.

From "A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier" by Ishmael Beah

Related Words

• ministry