console

noun con·sole \ ˈkän-ˌsōl \

|Updated on: 16 Jul 2018

1 : an architectural member projecting from a wall to form a bracket or from a keystone for ornament

2 : console table

3 a : an upright case that houses the keyboards and controlling mechanisms of an organ and from which the organ is played

b : a combination of readouts or displays and an input device (such as a keyboard or switches) by which an operator can monitor and interact with a system (such as a computer or dubber)

4 a : a cabinet (as for a radio or television set) designed to rest directly on the floor

b : a small storage cabinet between bucket seats in an automobile

5 : an electronic system that connects to a display (such as a television set) and is used primarily to play video games

See console defined for English-language learners

See console defined for kids

Examples of console in a Sentence

a custom-built walnut console holds all of their home-theater components

Recent Examples of console from the Web

There’s also a Nintendo console at the back of the restaurant, in case restless teens (or adults) need a break.

— kara baskin, BostonGlobe.com, "Tables: Superfine Foods heads to Newburyport, a granola cafe opens in Arlington, and Little Dipper is spotted in JP," 12 July 2018
There is a sliding center console between the front seats that is accessible to the second-row passengers.

— g. chambers williams iii, Houston Chronicle, "Toyota Sienna gets some upgrades for 2018, including new front end," 7 July 2018
Build something that, once fully configured, would provide a relatively easy-to-use and attractive console-like UI.

— andrew cunningham, Ars Technica, "Guidemaster: One-upping the NES Classic Edition with the Raspberry Pi 3 and RetroPie," 30 June 2018
Merging the two software divisions has proved a prescient move given the nature of the Switch, which doubles as both a portable tablet and a home console.

— andrew webster, The Verge, "A more unified Nintendo is the secret to the Switch’s massive success," 20 June 2018
The bright music video transforms the members of AOA into roller-diner waitresses in a video game, serving up pixels to customers with member Mina controlling them from a Nintendo Cube game console and comically reacting to the gameplay.

— tamar herman, Billboard, "AOA Turn Into Video Game Characters For Vibrant 'Bingle Bangle' Video: Watch," 29 May 2018
One boy was playing on a large TV screen, with a PlayStation 4 console.

— nick paumgarten, The New Yorker, "How Fortnite Captured Teens’ Hearts and Minds," 14 May 2018
There is an e-bin charging area and a dual-level armrest console.

— mark maynard, sandiegouniontribune.com, "2018 Buick Enclave Avenir: French flair for working-class luxury," 11 May 2018
Kautzman's picture: Aaron Bailey, someone potentially violent, fleeing from police and then reaching into a center console.

— ryan martin, Indianapolis Star, "Aaron Bailey shooting: 'Unreasonable' that 11 shots were fired, deputy chief says," 8 May 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of console

French

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1664

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

console Synonyms

Synonyms

buffet, cabinet, closet, cupboard, hutch, locker, press, sideboard;

dresser, pie safe;

armoire, clothespress, wardrobe;

Other Furniture and Woodworking Terms

appoint, credenza, mission, settee

console

verb con·sole \ kən-ˈsōl \

consoled; consoling

transitive verb

: to alleviate the grief, sense of loss, or trouble of : comfort

console a widow

I consoled myself with the thought that things could be much worse.

—

consoler

noun, plural consolers

- He was a tactful consoler and capable of great generosity to people in trouble.
- —Ferdinand Mount

—

consolingly

play \-ˈsō-liŋ-lē\ adverb

See console defined for English-language learners

Examples of console in a Sentence

Nothing could console her after his death.
the military officer who must console the bereaved at a soldier's funeral

Recent Examples of console from the Web

Southgate immediately consoled the bereft Colombia players.

— sean williams, The New Republic, "England’s World Cup Team: the Anti-Brexit," 10 July 2018
Finally, don’t punish them for being afraid, but don’t overly console them or act anxious yourself.

— Southern Living, "How to Keep Dogs Calm During Fireworks," 3 July 2018
Google executives consoled their employees after Mr. Trump’s election, and weeks later, Google staff held protests against his travel ban.

— jack nicas, New York Times, "The Week in Tech: Silicon Valley Gets Even More Political," 22 June 2018
At one point, her friend consoled Lexi with an arm around her shoulder.

— char adams, PEOPLE.com, "Girl, 6, Sobs as Her Parents Marry in Sweet Photo: She Was 'So Happy' for Us, Mom Says," 19 June 2018
The three-year-old appeared to accidentally slip and hit her head on the Buckingham Palace banister, but Middleton consoled the young princess and helped her recover in no time.

— erica gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "Kate Middleton Comforted Prince George at a Polo Match and It Was So Sweet," 11 June 2018
Minutes later, as investigators moved the body screens away, the woman joined a group of about 10 people consoling each other and standing near the crime scene tape.

— hanna krueger, NOLA.com, "Jeff Parish sheriff, coroner to hold news conference on death of Keeven Robinson," 13 May 2018
But this time, the nun consoled the players after her prayers went unanswered.

— david haugh, chicagotribune.com, "Loyola has no regrets as Michigan ends its remarkable run," 1 Apr. 2018
Outside the courtroom, their pastor consoled the Ramirez children.

— kate morrissey, latimes.com, "This minister supported Trump. Now he's facing deportation under this administration's immigration crackdown," 30 July 2017

Origin and Etymology of console

French consoler, from Latin consolari, from com- + solari to console

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1673

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

console Synonyms

CONSOLE Defined for English Language Learners

console

noun

: a flat surface that contains the controls for a machine, for a piece of electrical equipment, etc.
: a cabinet for a stereo or television that stands on the floor