console

noun con·sole \ ˈkän-ˌsōl \

Updated on: 21 May 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

The tech giant Thursday is expected to unveil the Xbox Adaptive Controller for Xbox One consoles and Windows 10 computers.

— sarah e. needleman, WSJ, "Disabled Gamers Get a New Controller From Microsoft," 17 May 2018
And do the differences between consoles and PCs affect map designs in any way?

— samuel axon, Ars Technica, "Video: How Blizzard makes Overwatch maps, and why tiny boats made Rialto more balanced," 10 May 2018
The new land's centerpiece ride is Submarine Quest, a slow-moving transportation system that combines a people-mover-style ride vehicle with a video game console and animated video screens.

— brady macdonald, sandiegouniontribune.com, "SeaWorld’s Electric Eel coaster squeezes a lot of excitement into a tight space," 10 May 2018
The center console and glove box were open, but nothing was missing.

— kari barnett, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Wellington Area Crime Log: March 27 - April 15," 6 May 2018
Mahogany is there to encourage, console and uplift.

— jeneé osterheldt, kansascity, "30 years of Mahogany: Thanks, Hallmark, for understanding how Black Lives Matter | The Kansas City Star," 3 May 2018
Among the most popular spots, said Hannigan, is the entryway atrium where game consoles and controllers from several generations of video games are set up to use, from Mario Brothers on up.

— spud hilton, San Francisco Chronicle, "High-tech Vegas: Is your hotel room smarter than you?," 3 May 2018
Other surveys, such as the Entertainment Software Association's survey of American gamers, include console and mobile users.

— gordon mah ung, PCWorld, "Dell surveyed 5,763 PC gamers, and this is what they said," 27 Apr. 2018
During the quarterly call, Chief Financial Officer Devinder Kumar highlighted the company’s range of products, including processors for laptops and game consoles and blockchain technology.

— marco santana, OrlandoSentinel.com, "AMD's Orlando workforce helps power strong earnings," 26 Apr. 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

Bening is capable of being waspish, consoling, frail, indomitable, and woebegone – sometimes all at once.

— peter rainer, The Christian Science Monitor, "'The Seagull' offers strong performances, Chekovian sorrow," 18 May 2018
Herbst consoled a supporter who was on the verge of tears at the back of the convention hall.

— daniela altimari, courant.com, "Mark Boughton Wins Republican Endorsement For Governor, But Primary Battle Looms," 12 May 2018
Stories of the Second World War console us with memories of the days before Vietnam, Cambodia, and Iraq, when the United States was the world’s good-hearted superpower, riding to the rescue of a Europe paralyzed by totalitarianism and appeasement.

— naomi fry, The New Yorker, "How American Racism Influenced Hitler," 23 Apr. 2018
Not only does the translation allow more priests to carry out rituals, but hearing English versions of the rite might console the possessed.

— laura yan, Popular Mechanics, "Can You Get An Exorcism From a Catholic Priest Over the Phone?," 21 Apr. 2018
Such is the respect the Portuguese has for Buffon, the goal machine was filmed interrupting the stopper during an interview after the game to console him with a hug.

— SI.com, "VIDEO: Cristiano Ronaldo Hugs Buffon After UCL Triumph But Can't Understand Juve Penalty Fury," 12 Apr. 2018
After that scene, Wayne consoled Goldsmith by telling him everyone who's been shot by the Duke becomes famous.

— greg garrison, AL.com, "Why was the 'Most Interesting Man in the World' in Alabama?," 3 Apr. 2018
Why are these people consoling themselves with bathroom decor?

— kenzie bryant, Vanities, "What’s the Deal with Camilla, Diana, and Prince Charles’s Bathroom Warfare?," 21 Mar. 2018
So to reckon with the grand ambitions the Wildcats had spoiled, the Retrievers consoled themselves with the smaller moments of unthinkable delight Kansas State could not touch.

— jonas shaffer, baltimoresun.com, "Bittersweet 16: After dreams of another upset win crumble, UMBC left with memorable morsels," 19 Mar. 2018

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