console

1 of 2

noun

con·​sole ˈkän-ˌsōl 

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

console

2 of 2

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

kən-ˈsō-liŋ-lē 

adverb

Synonyms

Noun

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

Verb

• assure
• cheer
• comfort
• reassure
• solace
• soothe

Examples of console in a Sentence

Noun

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

Verb

Nothing could console her after his death.

the military officer who must console the bereaved at a soldier's funeral

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Setup is easy, too, and only requires connecting a cable before pairing it to your console. —Quentyn Kennemer, The Verge, 11 Dec. 2024

Just different enough Marvel Rivals is NetEase’s next big push into console and PC gaming. —Echo Apsey, Rolling Stone, 11 Dec. 2024

Verb

After President-elect Donald Trump won his second trip to the White House, universities from Oregon to Georgetown broke out the milk and cookies to console heartbroken students. —Matt Robison, Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2024

No one trying to buy a house or a car or groceries is consoled by lagging indicators. —S.e. Cupp, New York Daily News, 6 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French

Verb

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

First Known Use

Noun

1664, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1673, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing console

• console table

Kids Definition

console

1 of 2 noun

con·​sole ˈkän-ˌsōl 

1

a

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

b

: a panel or cabinet with dials and switches for controlling an electronic or mechanical device

2

: a cabinet (as for a phonograph or television set) that stands on the floor

3

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

console

2 of 2 verb

con·​sole kən-ˈsōl 

consoled; consoling

: to comfort in times of grief, distress, or suffering