consul

noun

con·​sul ˈkän(t)-səl How to pronounce consul (audio)
Synonyms of consulnext
1
a
: either of two annually elected chief magistrates of the Roman republic
b
: one of three chief magistrates of the French republic from 1799 to 1804
2
: an official appointed by a government to reside in a foreign country to represent the commercial interests of citizens of the appointing country
the American consul in Rome
consulship
ˈkän(t)-səl-ˌship How to pronounce consul (audio)
noun

Examples of consul in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Patrolling in pairs and marked by their black patent leather tricorn hats, the Guardia Civil sometimes forced refugees back into France but more often threw them into spartan jails until the British or the American consul sent for them. — Literary Hub, 31 Aug. 2026 Barclay, a family law attorney by trade and the consul of Jamaica in Chicago, cast himself as a supporter of development near public transit, pointing out vacant lots that abutted the train’s route. — Talia Soglin, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026 The sultan learned about the American colonists’ war for independence indirectly, through the local French consul and European reports. — Scott Spires Britannica Editors June 23, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 June 2026 Pablo Neruda played a key role when he was appointed Chile’s special consul for Spanish immigration. — Roberto Prieto, Variety, 19 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for consul

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin; perhaps akin to Latin consulere to consult

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of consul was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing consul

Rhymes for consul

See All Rhymes for consul

Browse Nearby Words

consuetudo
consul
consulage
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Consul.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/consul. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

consul

noun
con·​sul ˈkän(t)-səl How to pronounce consul (audio)
1
: either of two chief officials of the ancient Roman republic who were elected each year
2
: an official appointed by a government to live in a foreign country to look after the commercial interests of citizens of the appointing country
consular
-s(ə-)lər How to pronounce consul (audio)
adjective
consulship
-səl-ˌship How to pronounce consul (audio)
noun

Legal Definition

consul

noun
con·​sul ˈkän-səl How to pronounce consul (audio)
: an official appointed by a government to reside in a foreign country in order to represent the commercial interests of citizens of the appointing country
consular
-sə-lər How to pronounce consul (audio)
adjective
consulship noun

More from Merriam-Webster on consul

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for consul

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about consul

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