consensus

noun, often attributive con·sen·sus \ kən-ˈsen(t)-səs \

Updated on: 17 Apr 2018

Definition of consensus

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

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Is the phrase consensus of opinion redundant?

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.

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 of consensus from the Web

His colleagues and allies outside of the Capitol say Ryan grew into the role of speaker and quickly learned how to work within the various factions of the GOP conference to reach consensus.

— deirdre walsh, CNN, "Paul Ryan's impact: Big tax bill but no entitlement reforms," 12 Apr. 2018
Several small liberal or left-wing parties insisted on running their own slates in local constituencies where the failure to reach consensus on a single anti-government candidate cost it numerous seats.

— The Economist, "Hungary’s illiberal prime minister, Viktor Orban, wins a landslide," 9 Apr. 2018
After nine days of occupying the campus Administration Building (renamed the Kwame Ture Student Center during the protest), Howard University students have ended their #HUSitIn, after reaching a consensus with the trustees and university president.

— angela helm, The Root, "Howard Students End Protest, Win Concessions From University," 7 Apr. 2018
Winner acknowledged that the firm’s intense focus on reaching consensus can be frustrating.

— dakin campbell, Bloomberg.com, "New Goldman Office Dumps Dress Code for Kombucha on Tap," 6 Apr. 2018
In my past experience, parents who disagreed at first about their child’s treatment did always reach a consensus.

— christopher hartnick, STAT, "Doctors like me are at a loss when parents can’t agree on their child’s treatment," 6 Apr. 2018
Public Affairs Secretary Ramon Rosario told NotiUno radio station on Monday that the board cannot impose public policy in Puerto Rico and asked members to reach a consensus with the island's government.

— CBS News, "Puerto Rico's governor defies board, rejects pension cuts," 2 Apr. 2018
While the group reached quick consensus on the radio specs, controversy flared over a procedural issue.

— stu woo, WSJ, "China’s Huawei Is Determined to Lead the Way on 5G Despite U.S. Concerns," 30 Mar. 2018
But some researchers worry that the debate isn’t broad enough, or lacks the kind of dialogue needed to reach a societal consensus on the introduction of such a pathbreaking new technology.

— martin enserink, Science | AAAS, "Interested in responsible gene editing? Join the (new) club," 27 Mar. 2018

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