consensus

noun

con·​sen·​sus kən-ˈsen(t)-səs 

often attributive

1

a

: general agreement (as of opinion or fact) among a group of people or things

The council's decision was made by consensus.

There is a growing consensus [=more and more people agree] on the need for more funding.

… due to a lack of consensus among lawmakers, the widely supported program is headed toward suspension …

—Sarah Rankin

… negotiators … are scrambling to build consensus on an array of issues …

—Sam Meredith

In a world of dissenting views, it is rare to find such consensus of opinion.

—Devra First

b

: the judgment arrived at by most of those concerned

… the consensus was to revisit the issue after gathering more information.

—Steve Smith

… lawmakers reportedly did not reach a consensus on tax cuts.

—Ty Roush

The consensus of predictions has been that Washington state would have slower growth but no recession.

—Bill Virgin

What's the consensus of opinion on the issue among experts?

—Guy P. Harrison

The general consensus is that last night's debate didn't go very well for President Joe Biden.

—Dan McGowan

2

: group solidarity in sentiment and belief

But for Hartz, all such [political] disagreements took place within a broad consensus about American values.

—Alan Wolfe

Are the phrases consensus of opinion, general consensus, and general consensus of opinion redundant?: Usage Guide

The phrase consensus of opinion, which is not necessarily redundant (see sense 1a above), has been so often criticized as a redundancy that some writers avoid it altogether. Nevertheless, consensus of opinion has long been used in both of its common meanings.

… we have been able to take this first most important step … with such a very general measure of agreement, with, indeed, a consensus of opinion which almost amounts to unanimity.

—Winston Churchill †1965

Such is the consensus of opinion of the leading authorities on international law …

—Thomas F. Bayard

The phrase general consensus and its longer variant general consensus of opinion are more justifiably criticized as redundant, although a case can be made that general serves as an intensive. These two phrases are found most commonly in informal speech and writing, but occasionally appear in formal or literary prose.

There is a general consensus that some social plan of production … is necessary if the routine of civilized life is to continue.

—Morris R. Cohen

But the general consensus of opinion was that we must have the picture, no matter what pecuniary sacrifices were involved.

—Lucy Maud Montgomery

If you wish to avoide criticism, you are safe in using consensus alone in such contexts.

Synonyms of consensus

• agreement
• 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

If the American consensus is that China cheats on trade and dreams of global domination, the Chinese view is that America is just the latest in a long line of colonial powers that plot to keep their country down. —Christopher Smart, Time, 29 Oct. 2025

Here, there was a consensus across the political spectrum, with 88% of Democrats, 86% of Republicans and 85% of independents opposing a pardon. —Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2025

In the United States, bipartisan consensus is painfully hard to achieve—except on the issue of China. —Mira Rapp-Hooper, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2025

The results were broadly in line with market consensus. —Cathrin Schaer, Footwear News, 29 Oct. 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 1

Phrases Containing consensus

• build consensus
• by consensus
• general consensus
• lack of 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