consensus

[ kuhn-sen-suhs ]

noun

, plural con·sen·sus·es.

1. majority of opinion:

   The consensus of the group was that they should meet twice a month.

2. general agreement or concord; harmony.

consensus

/ kənˈsɛnsəs /

noun

1. general or widespread agreement (esp in the phrase consensus of opinion )

Usage Note

Many say that the phrase consensus of opinion is redundant and hence should be avoided: The committee's statement represented a consensus of opinion. The expression is redundant, however, only if consensus is taken in the sense “majority of opinion” rather than in its equally valid and earlier sense “general agreement or concord.” Criticism of consensus of opinion has been so persistent and widespread that the phrase, even though in common use, occurs only infrequently in edited formal writing. The phrase general consensus is objected to for similar reasons. Consensus is now widely used attributively, especially in the phrase consensus politics.

Usage

Since consensus refers to a collective opinion, the words of opinion in the phrase consensus of opinion are redundant and should therefore be avoided

Word History and Origins

Origin of consensus¹

First recorded in 1850–55; from Latin, from consentīre “to be in agreement, share a feeling,” from con- con- + sentīre “to feel” ( sense )

Word History and Origins

Origin of consensus¹

C19: from Latin, from consentīre to feel together, agree; see consent

Example Sentences

Tennessee’s lawyers argued the developments in Europe undercut the administration’s claim of a medical consensus on their side.

From Los Angeles Times

Indeed, many people not only agree with the scientific consensus, they have used climate change as an excuse to push white supremacist ideologies and lash out against immigration.

From Salon

But while GSNR’s draft environmental impact report guides its projects to follow this consensus, it leaves the door open for the nonprofit to chop down trees with a diameter of up to 30 inches.

From Los Angeles Times

No one would look at the results in other nations where district lines have been so drastically manipulated and suggest that they reflect popular consensus.

From Salon

Even if we accept the premise of a mandate, there is little consensus on when a candidate has achieved it.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• accord
• consent
• harmony
• unanimity
• unity