consensus

noun

con·​sen·​sus kən-ˈsen(t)-səs 

often attributive

1

a

: general agreement : unanimity

the consensus of their opinion, based on reports … from the border

—John Hersey

b

: the judgment arrived at by most of those concerned

the consensus was to go ahead

2

: group solidarity in sentiment and belief

Is the phrase consensus of opinion redundant?: Usage Guide

The phrase consensus of opinion, which is not actually redundant (see sense 1a; the sense that takes the phrase is slightly older), has been so often claimed to be a redundancy that many writers avoid it. You are safe in using consensus alone when it is clear you mean consensus of opinion, and most writers in fact do so.

Synonyms

• accord
• agreement
• concurrence
• concurrency
• unanimity
• unison

Examples of consensus in a Sentence

Yet despite this and other dust-ups during the convention, the general consensus is that Episcopalians weathered this one with their customary civility intact. —Antonio Ramirez, Commonweal, 12 Sept. 1997

Despite years of debate over the best wine to serve at Thanksgiving, no real consensus has emerged. —Harvey Steiman, Wine Spectator, 30 Nov. 1995

Beyond the general goal of sustainability, there was little consensus at the conference on how to get from here to there. —Constance Holden, Science, 6 July 1990

… it is the consensus of opinion that the Iceni in their geographic isolation remained 'Celtic' … —Antonia Fraser, The Warrior Queens, 1988

Everyone on the council seems to understand the need for consensus.

There is a lack of consensus among the citizens.

The decision was made by consensus.

Recent Examples on the Web

When is consensus required, and when can someone act independently? —Francois Botha, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025

Still, analysts have a consensus hold rating and a price target that suggests 16% upside ahead. —Pia Singh, CNBC, 24 May 2025

In the four months since Biden left office, a consensus seems to have emerged that the former president’s bid for reelection all but guaranteed Donald Trump’s return to power. —The Editors, The Atlantic, 24 May 2025

But despite John Woo’s formidable resume (Hard Boiled, The Killer, Face/Off), this is, by popular consensus, the weakest Mission: Impossible movie, albeit one with some phenomenal sequences. —Will Harris, EW.com, 23 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin, "agreement, concord," from Latin consentīre "to join in feeling, be in agreement, concur in opinion" + -tus, suffix of action nouns — more at consent entry 1

First Known Use

1633, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing consensus

• consensus of opinion
• growing consensus
• reach a consensus

Rhymes for consensus

• amanuensis
• melitensis
• census

Kids Definition

consensus

noun

con·​sen·​sus kən-ˈsen(t)-səs 

plural consensuses

1

: general agreement

the consensus of opinion

2

: the judgment arrived at by most of those concerned

the consensus was to go ahead