consul

noun con·sul \ ˈkän(t)-səl \

Updated on: 21 May 2018

Definition of consul

1 a : either of two annually elected chief magistrates of the Roman republic

b : one of three chief magistrates of the French republic from 1799 to 1804

2 : an official appointed by a government to reside in a foreign country to represent the commercial interests of citizens of the appointing country

the American consul in Rome

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consular

play \ˈkän(t)-s(ə-)lər\ adjective

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consulship

play \ˈkän(t)-səl-ˌship\ noun

See consul defined for English-language learners

See consul defined for kids

Recent Examples of consul from the Web

Turkey on Tuesday expelled Israel’s ambassador and consul.

— ruth eglash, BostonGlobe.com, "As criticism for Israel mounts, Guatemala opens its embassy in Jerusalem," 17 May 2018
In addition to his judicial work, Judge McEwen was tapped by the U.S. Department of State in 2005 to serve as honorary consul to the Republic of Bulgaria.

— bonnie l. cook, Philly.com, "Stephen J. McEwen Jr., 85, Superior Court president judge," 1 May 2018
Of three major migrant routes that lead through Mexico to the U.S. border, the one leading to Tijuana remains the least traveled, said Erick Cardona, Guatemala’s consul-general in Tijuana.

— sandra dibble, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Seeking asylum, Central American migrants await fate as they approach Tijuana border," 22 Apr. 2018
Her maternal grandfather, Liao Fengshu, was a poet and served as China’s general consul in Cuba.

— james r. hagerty, WSJ, "Anna Chennault Bridged East and West but Wasn’t Always Appreciated," 6 Apr. 2018
In Seattle, the consul-general residence is located in the historic Samuel Hyde House at 3726 East Madison Street.

— christine clarridge, The Seattle Times, "Russians turned away at Seattle consulate after Trump Administration announces closure," 26 Mar. 2018
The circular temple dates back to 101 BC and was built by consul Quintus Lutatius Catulus as a dedication to the Battle of Vercellae.

— lauren ro, Curbed, "Watch 7 ancient ruins come to life before your very eyes," 23 Mar. 2018
Carla Vallejos Blanco, 29, was a tourist from Corrientes, Argentina, who'd been in New York for a few days, said her country's consul in New York, Mateo Estreme.

— CBS News, "Helicopter crash investigators looking at victims' photos," 13 Mar. 2018
In the latest move to strengthen ties, Russia last week named an honorary consul to Pakistan’s Khyber Pukhtunkhwa Province, which borders Nangarhar province in eastern Afghanistan, where IS has established its headquarters.

— Washington Post, "Shifting alliances as Pakistan manages relationship with US," 27 Feb. 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of consul

Middle English, from Latin; perhaps akin to Latin consulere to consult

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

Other Government and Politics Terms

agent provocateur, agitprop, autarky, cabal, egalitarianism, federalism, hegemony, plenipotentiary, popular sovereignty, socialism

CONSUL Defined for English Language Learners

consul

noun

Definition of consul for English Language Learners

: a government official whose job is to live in a foreign country and protect and help the citizens of his or her own country who are traveling, living, or doing business there
: either one of two chief officials of the ancient Roman republic who were elected every year

CONSUL Defined for Kids

consul

noun con·sul \ ˈkän-səl \

Definition of consul for Students

: an official appointed by a government to live in a foreign country in order to look after the commercial interests of citizens of the appointing country

Law Dictionary

consul

noun con·sul \ ˈkän-səl \

legal Definition of consul

: an official appointed by a government to reside in a foreign country in order to represent the commercial interests of citizens of the appointing country

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