consul

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noun con·sul \ ˈkän(t)-səl \

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

The two consuls whom Sulla left in command of Rome clashed, and the Senate declared one of them a public enemy.

— scott spillman, New Republic, "War, Civil War, or Revolution?," 30 Aug. 2017
Delmin Darío López Colomo, a Guatemalan survivor who remained hospitalized, said the migrants in the tractor-trailer were delivered by various different smugglers, according to Cristy Andrino, the consul of Guatemala in McAllen, Texas.

— The Christian Science Monitor, "US investigators search to shut down channels that led to human smuggling tragedy in Texas," 26 July 2017
During the vigil, a somber group quietly approached the consul from Mexico to ask about a relative.

— the washington post, OregonLive.com, "Driver charged in Texas after 10 immigrants died in hot truck in suspected human trafficking," 24 July 2017
Marcela Celorio, the Mexican consul general in San Diego, said on Monday that Mexico’s National Immigration Institute is prepared to launch processing of southbound pedestrian crossers entering at the El Chaparral port of entry on July 31.

— sandra dibble, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Southbound pedestrians to have second access to Tijuana from San Ysidro," 24 July 2017
The screening event also included remarks by Guy Gilady, Israel's deputy consul general in Miami.

— sergio carmona, Jewish Journal, "South Florida pro-Israel groups slam Pink Floyd legend Roger Water's controversial views," 19 July 2017
Zita Bencsik, consul general of the consulate general of Hungary in Chicago, welcomed attendees in person and via microphone.

— karie angell luc, chicagotribune.com, "Hungarian celebration: Event celebrates 10 years," 10 July 2017
Raul Otoniel Morazan, Honduras’ consul general in Veracruz, called in an interview with local media outlet e-veracruz.com for all levels of the Mexican government to get to the bottom of the killing.

— Washington Post, "Honduran video journalist shot to death in Mexico," 10 July 2017
Hong Lei, consul general of China to Chicago, visited with Zhang's family in Champaign on July 1 and spoke to university and police authorities about the case.

— dawn rhodes, chicagotribune.com, "Prosecutor: U. of I. kidnapping suspect was heard describing 'ideal victim'," 5 July 2017

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

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Other Government and Politics Terms

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

CONSUL Defined for English Language Learners

consul

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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

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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

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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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