counsel

noun

Save Word

coun·sel | \ ˈkau̇n(t)-səl

Definition of counsel

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : advice given especially as a result of consultation He was unwise to reject my counsel.

b : a policy or plan of action or behavior

2 : deliberation, consultation

3a archaic : purpose

b : guarded thoughts or intentions He was chary and given to keeping his own counsel.

4a plural counsel

(1) : a lawyer engaged in the trial or management of a case in court

(2) : a lawyer appointed to advise and represent in legal matters an individual client or a corporate and especially a public body

b : consultant sense 2

counsel

verb

coun·sel | \ ˈkau̇n(t)-səl

counseled or counselled; counseling or counselling\ ˈkau̇n(t)-s(ə-)liŋ

Definition of counsel (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

: advise … counselled them to avoid rash actions …— George Orwell

intransitive verb

: consult counseled with her husband

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about counsel

Keep scrolling for more

Examples of counsel in a Sentence

Noun We seek counsel from the rich and powerful to learn their secret … — Ken Tucker, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Feb. 2004 God had done a poor job, and Soaphead suspected that he himself could have done better. It was in fact a pity that the Maker had not sought his counsel. — Toni Morrison, The Bluest Eye, (1970) 1994 No matter how much time he is given, counsel would always like more, but the Chief Justice will not grant an extra minute unless the lawyer is responding to a question from the bench. — Robert H. Bork, The Tempting Of America, 1990 Counsel were to be employed. … And when the matter had been decided by the lawyers, Lord Fawn was to express his regret for having suspected his lady-love! — Anthony Trollope, The Eustace Diamonds, 1871 You were unwise to reject my counsel. The student sought counsel from her teacher. She is serving as counsel for the defendant. All counsel are expected to obey the rules of the court. Verb He balked at authority and, according to Mr. Green, tuned you out if you tried to counsel him. — David Grann, New Republic, 14 Feb. 2000 She had six children, whom she counseled and with great wisdom and patience. — Erma Bombeck, The Best of Bombeck, (1965) 1967 I had counselled Catherine to dine upstairs, but as soon as he perceived her vacant seat he sent me to call her. — Emily Brontë, Wuthering Heights, 1847 He counsels people who are trying to quit drinking. concerned parents counseling about the problem of substance abuse in their community

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Mike Green, who had recently been appointed by Cuomo as the head of the agency, and Gina Bianchi, its chief legal counsel. — Eric Lach, The New Yorker, "A Cautionary Tale of Workplace Harassment in the Cuomo Administration," 10 Apr. 2021 The two parties began this process at the end of 2020 with conversations between representatives for the league and the players, along with their respective counsel. — Julia Poe, orlandosentinel.com, "NWSL, players enter formal process for collective bargaining," 7 Apr. 2021 McDonald’s has hired Desiree Ralls-Morrison as its new general counsel and corporate secretary, the company announced today. — Beth Kowitt, Fortune, "Exclusive: McDonald’s hires new general counsel," 29 Mar. 2021 Depp and his counsel won't be able to make their arguments until next year because the defamation trial has been pushed to April 2022. — Ineye Komonibo, refinery29.com, "Johnny Depp Loses Appeal In Amber Heard Libel Case Amid Other Lawsuits," 26 Mar. 2021 So, al-Issa and his counsel are likely to pull out all the stops, litigating mental state and everything else to the hilt, because for the state, there will be no trading down from life imprisonment. — Andrew C. Mccarthy, National Review, "Al-Issa Makes First Court Appearance in Boulder," 25 Mar. 2021 Armed with a stack of documentation built with help from his counsel and doctors, Theodorou submitted his case and was approved to use cannabis to treat pain associated with bilateral neuropathy. — Amanda Siebert, Forbes, "UFC Veteran Elias Theodorou Is The World’s First Cannabis Sanctioned Pro Athlete," 12 Mar. 2021 The governor, who can retain his own counsel, may contest the sufficiency of the articles or assert his innocence. — Jacob Gershman, WSJ, "Gov. Andrew Cuomo Faces Impeachment Inquiry. Here’s What You Need to Know," 12 Mar. 2021 The value of Girardi’s legal work was not disclosed, but his opposing counsel’s total fees tallied in court papers offer some idea: $114,000. — Harriet Ryan, Los Angeles Times, "Vegas parties, celebrities and boozy lunches: How legal titan Tom Girardi seduced the State Bar," 6 Mar. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb The same could not be said of the farm employees, who Caramelli did not counsel directly, and were still taking hydroxychloroquine under the advice of local physicians. — Erin Schumaker, ABC News, "Hydroxychloroquine and other 'miracle cures' continue to fuel Brazil's outbreak," 4 Apr. 2021 Financial advisors counsel clients about their financial affairs. — R.j. Shook, Forbes, "Advisor Success Hinges On Team Culture, Communication," 18 Mar. 2021 The bill accompanies additional rent relief legislation slated for this year’s session, including one proposal that would ensure a tenant’s right to counsel and another that would raise the rent court filing fee from $15 to $125. — Hallie Miller, baltimoresun.com, "During Maryland rent moratorium, more landlords using legal ‘loophole’ as means to evict," 30 Dec. 2020 Often clashing with archdiocese leaders, Pfleger has made a name for himself by using unconventional tactics such as paying prostitutes to counsel them and defacing alcohol and cigarette billboards. — Fox News, "Chicago church rallies around priest after sexual abuse allegations," 15 Mar. 2021 Recognizing this bureaucratic hurdle prior to the pandemic, New York City enacted the right to counsel in 2018, which prevented 22,000 evictions. — Salmaan Kamal And Stefan Kertesz, al, "How to stop a wave of pandemic evictions in Birmingham," 4 Mar. 2021 On the one hand, Duke exercised his right to counsel, Warren said. — Bill Rankin, ajc, "GA Supreme Court considers expert funding in Tara Grinstead murder case," 12 Jan. 2021 Abdelaziz's mentors, CMO and chief communications officer Amy Fuller and client account lead for North America Cathinka Wahlstrom, also helped counsel her over video chat through the departure of a much-appreciated employee. — Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, "The Fortune-State Department Global Women’s Mentoring Partnership goes virtual," 7 Dec. 2020 Steve Ricchetti has worked for Mr. Biden longer than many others tapped to counsel the new president, said Danny O’Brien, a lobbyist with Fox Corp. and a former Biden aide. — Julie Bykowicz, WSJ, "Ricchetti Brothers Rise in D.C., One a Lobbyist, the Other in the White House," 25 Jan. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'counsel.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about counsel

Dictionary Entries near counsel

Statistics for counsel

Last Updated

12 Apr 2021

Cite this Entry

“Counsel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counsel. Accessed 17 Apr. 2021.

Style: MLA

MLA

Chicago

APA

Merriam-Webster Check Mark Icon

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for counsel

counsel

noun

English Language Learners Definition of counsel

(Entry 1 of 2)

formal : advice given to someone

law : a lawyer who represents a person or group in a court of law

counsel

verb

English Language Learners Definition of counsel (Entry 2 of 2)

formal

: to give advice to (someone)

: to listen to and give support or advice to (someone) especially as a job

: to suggest or recommend (something)

See the full definition for counsel in the English Language Learners Dictionary

counsel

noun

coun·sel | \ ˈkau̇n-səl

Kids Definition of counsel

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : advice given My grandfather's counsel was to be patient.

2 plural counsel : a lawyer representing someone in court

counsel

verb

counseled or counselled; counseling or counselling

Kids Definition of counsel (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : to give advice to : advise She counseled him to study harder.

2 : to suggest or recommend The doctor counseled rest.

counsel

noun

coun·sel | \ ˈkau̇n(t)-səl

Medical Definition of counsel

(Entry 1 of 2)

: advice given especially as a result of consultation

counsel

transitive verb

counseled or counselled; counseling or counselling\ -s(ə-)liŋ

Medical Definition of counsel (Entry 2 of 2)

: to advise especially seriously and formally after consultation

Keep scrolling for more

counsel

noun

coun·sel | \ ˈkau̇n-səl

plural counsel

Legal Definition of counsel

(Entry 1 of 2)

: lawyer: as

a : a lawyer participating in the management or trial of a case in court …to have the assistance of counsel for his defense — U.S. Constitution amend. VI a right to counsel

b : a lawyer appointed or engaged to advise or represent a client in legal matters (as negotiations or the drafting of documents) — compare attorney

Note: A judge who has acted as counsel in a matter (as by advising an investigator) is disqualified from hearing the case.

of counsel

1 : assisting another lawyer in a case was attorney of counsel

2 : employed on a part-time basis a tax attorney will move also and become of counsel — National Law Journal

counsel

transitive verb

counseled or counselled; counseling or counselling

Legal Definition of counsel (Entry 2 of 2)

: advise