noun
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the business premises or residence of a consul
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government by consuls
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the office or period of office of a consul or consuls
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(often capital)
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the government of France by the three consuls from 1799 to 1804
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this period of French history
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(often capital)
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the consular government of the Roman republic
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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
Explanation
One of the buildings where diplomats work is called a consulate. Many countries have both an American embassy and an American consulate. A consul is a diplomat who works in a foreign country as her home country's representative. The consul's offices are located in the consulate. A traveler might visit his own country's consulate when he's traveling abroad and needs help of some kind — for example, if his passport has been stolen or he's gotten into legal trouble. The root of consulate is the Latin consul, "magistrate," from consulere, "to deliberate or counsel."
Vocabulary lists containing consulate
The Distance Between Us
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Parachutes
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Games of Deception
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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.
The consulate in San Bernardino said it contacted Ramos-Solano’s family to provide assistance and support.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026
A drone struck the parking lot of the U.S. consulate in Dubai, according to a U.S. official and Dubai’s government media office.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 4, 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
The UK consulate in Hong Kong said it does not comment on details of individual cases but that it provide consular assistance to British nationals.
From BBC • Feb. 24, 2026
After picking up materials from Gold, Sam would head for the Soviet consulate, a three-story building in Manhattan.
From "Bomb" by Steve Sheinkin
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.
