consular

American  

[kon-suh-ler, konsyuh-] / ˈkɒn sə lər, ˈkɒnsyə- /

adjective

1. of or relating to a consul appointed by one country to look after its interests and its citizens’ welfare in another.

   Here in Houston, consular officials from a host of different nations can provide a wealth of information on the economy, culture, and tourism of the countries they represent.

2. of or relating to the two chief magistrates of the ancient Roman republic, or the period when this office existed.

   Government in the England of the Georges, like that in consular Rome, was in the hands of an aristocratic oligarchy.

   Hannibal didn't just defeat whole consular Roman armies—he annihilated them and their leaders.

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Other Word Forms

• nonconsular adjective
• subconsular adjective

Etymology

Origin of consular

First recorded in 1530–40; from Latin consulāris, equivalent to consul ( def. ) + -ar ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

Embassy, and the consular officer told him his visa application was on indefinite hold.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 25, 2026

"We continue to provide consular assistance to them and their family."

From BBC • Mar. 13, 2026

Last week, the State Department’s assistant secretary for consular affairs urged Americans visiting the Middle East to leave via commercial air travel.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 9, 2026

The re-establishment of diplomatic and consular relations "will facilitate our joint efforts to promote stability, support economic recovery, and advance political reconciliation in Venezuela," the US State Department said.

From Barron's • Mar. 5, 2026

The most oft-cited story was that an American consular official with connections to the CIA had tipped off the authorities.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

Related Words

• diplomatic