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.

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Recent Examples on the Web

Its earnings per share came to $1.22, outperforming Wall Street expectations of $0.99 according to a consensus estimate from analysts surveyed by Factset. 📬 Sign up for the Daily Brief Our free, fast, and fun briefing on the global economy, delivered every weekday morning. —Bruce Gil, Quartz, 8 Feb. 2024

Of that, about $1.5 billion is projected to be bet with legal outlets, the group said, citing consensus estimates from various sources. —Wayne Parry, Fortune, 6 Feb. 2024

The scientific consensus on climate change has been clear for 20 years now. —Delger Erdenesanaa, New York Times, 6 Feb. 2024

Moreover, the consensus after the first two states is that the eventual victors are all but certain on both sides of the aisle, with only 400,000 voters casting ballots. —Reinhold Ernst Tribune News Service, arkansasonline.com, 5 Feb. 2024

And while many might agree that marathon running is a sport, people are unlikely to reach consensus on rifle shooting or bridge. —Simon Makin, Scientific American, 1 Feb. 2024

But the CEOs largely showed no consensus of support for the various bills being pushed by lawmakers. —Cheyenne Haslett, ABC News, 31 Jan. 2024

However, this class compares more to the 2015 class when Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota were the consensus top quarterbacks but discourse never solidified a clear first-overall pick. —Ellis Williams, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024

The general consensus among scientists and health care professionals is that there is a strong neurobiological and genetic basis for addiction. —Karla Kaun, Discover Magazine, 26 Jan. 2024

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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

1843, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing consensus

• consensus of opinion
• reach a consensus
• growing consensus

• consensus of opinion
• reach a consensus
• growing consensus

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