console

noun con·sole \ ˈkän-ˌsōl \

Definition of console

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

A wallet and speakers were reportedly stolen from the center console of an unlocked vehicle Aug. 17 while parked in a parking lot in the 4900 block of Old Orchard Center.

— pioneer press, chicagotribune.com, "Skokie police: Four charged in separate DUI incidents," 28 Aug. 2017
The armrest console storage area — with a 12-volt plug, two charging USBs and slots for SIM and HDMI cards — can be optioned with a chiller box.

— mark maynard, sandiegouniontribune.com, "2017 Land Rover Discovery HSE Luxury: Shockproof British luxury," 25 Aug. 2017
Seating, lower door panels, pillars, headliner, lower dash and center console were shale with cocoa upper door/window sills, upper dash, shifter boot, and steering wheel.

— emma jayne williams, star-telegram, "New GMC Acadia Denali version gives this SUV the royal treatment," 25 Aug. 2017
Like an eighth grader in front of a video game console, good cooks know which short cuts to take and which to avoid.

— alex delany, Bon Appetit, "9 Foods We'll Always Buy, Never Make," 22 Aug. 2017
The 911 dispatch center will be turned over on Sept. 1, so those Law Enforcement agencies can begin to move in their computer consoles and equipment, with plans of being operational in December.

— susan demar lafferty, Daily Southtown, "Will County public safety complex set to open in December," 15 Aug. 2017
Naperville police are seeking this man, who is believed to have stolen $300 from the console of an unlocked car.

— Naperville Sun, "Naperville burglar stole $300 from unlocked car, police say," 1 Aug. 2017
The 5,200-square-foot location will feature 50 arcade games, five pinball machines, several console stations, from Atari to WiiU, and a media store.

— melissa reinert, Cincinnati.com, "Arcade Legacy is heading to Newport," 8 July 2017
The wider portion of the tray is above the shifter console and ideal to lay a phone and run the charging cable through a little access portal the USB below.

— mark maynard, sandiegouniontribune.com, "2017 Toyota Highlander Hybrid: Road-trip ready," 7 July 2017

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

See Words from the same year

console Synonyms

Synonyms

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

Related Words

bookcase, breakfront, chest, china closet, credence, credenza, étagère (or etagere), secretary, showcase, taboret (or tabouret), vitrine; cuddy, dresser, pie safe; armoire, clothespress, garderobe, wardrobe; cabinetry, shelving

Other Furniture and Woodworking Terms

appoint, credenza, mission, settee

console

verb con·sole \ kən-ˈsōl \

Definition of console

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.

—

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

So, her choice to come to her grandson's sides rather than immediately turning to console the nation was rather an easy decision for any grandmother, Queen or not.

— kate friedman, Glamour, "Here's Why Queen Elizabeth II Took Five Days to Publicly Address Princess Diana's Death," 30 Aug. 2017
A president’s words have the capacity to console a nation in grief, settle its collective fears, and call its people to action.

— zeke j miller, Time, "How President Trump Failed His Biggest Leadership Test Yet," 15 Aug. 2017
This gives the cabin a sleek, clean look and leaves the dash and console free of buttons and levers.

— charles fleming, Detroit Free Press, "Volvo V90 is entertaining and sensible at the same time," 26 July 2017
An elderly woman is crying profusely over the phone, and all anyone can do is listen and try to console her.

— steve lang, Car and Driver, "Things to Keep in Mind When You’re Hunting for a Reliable Used Car," 26 July 2017
Lately, she's become the center of a viral photo that shows her doing what all moms do: consoling their kids after a tough day.

— megan friedman, Good Housekeeping, "This Mom Comforting Her Crying Son Shows the Real Pain Trans Kids Go Through," 26 July 2017
Casey Affleck stars in David Lowery's poetic meditation as a Texas songwriter who, after death, becomes a white-sheeted ghost who tries to console his bereft wife, played by Rooney Mara.

— ashley lee, The Hollywood Reporter, "What to Watch This Weekend," 7 July 2017
Nearby, other workers consoled the equally upset technician.

— patrick malone, Science | AAAS, "A near-disaster at a federal nuclear weapons," 29 June 2017
Sisters Meg Theno, of Cambridge, Wis.; Nancy Theno Peth, of La Grange, and Jan Theno Shiff, of St. Mary's, Ga., gathered in Aurora last week to console one another about their older brother's unexpected death.

— linda girardi, Aurora Beacon-News, "West Aurora grad who died in Hawaii remembered as food safety expert," 26 June 2017

Origin and Etymology of console

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1673

See Words from the same year

console Synonyms

Synonyms

assure, cheer, comfort, reassure, solace, soothe

Antonyms

distress, torment, torture, trouble

Related Words

commiserate, condole, empathize, sympathize; boost, buoy (up), elevate, lift, uplift; allay, alleviate, assuage, relieve; calm, quiet, relax, tranquilize (also tranquillize)

Near Antonyms

demoralize, discourage, dishearten; fret, upset, worry; aggravate, intensify, worsen; annoy, irk, irritate; harass, pester

CONSOLE Defined for English Language Learners

console

noun

Definition of console for English Language Learners

: 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

console

verb

Definition of console for English Language Learners

: to try to make (someone) feel less sadness or disappointment

CONSOLE Defined for Kids

console

verb con·sole \ kən-ˈsōl \

Definition of console for Students

consoled; consoling

:to comfort in a time of grief or distress

console

noun con·sole \ ˈkän-ˌsōl \

Definition of console for Students

1 :a panel on which are dials and switches for controlling an electronic or mechanical device

2 :an electronic system that connects to a display (as a TV) and is used to play video games

3 :a cabinet (as for a television) that stands on the floor

4 :the part of an organ at which the organist sits and which contains the keyboard and controls

Learn More about console

See words that rhyme with console Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for console Spanish Central: Translation of console Nglish: Translation of console for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of console for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about console

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up console? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

console

Definition of console

Explore Merriam-Webster

Examples of console in a Sentence

Recent Examples of console from the Web

Origin and Etymology of console

console Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Other Furniture and Woodworking Terms

console

Definition of console

consolingly

Examples of console in a Sentence

Recent Examples of console from the Web

Origin and Etymology of console

console Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

CONSOLE Defined for English Language Learners

console

Definition of console for English Language Learners

console

Definition of console for English Language Learners

CONSOLE Defined for Kids

console

Definition of console for Students

console

Definition of console for Students

Learn More about console

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

The Synonyms 'Discover' and 'Invent'

Trending: NY Times: Trump's Call Ignites 'Imbroglio'

The Exceptions Quiz III

17 English Words that Come From Japanese

Words of the Year: 1066