consulate
n.-
1 diplomatic building (n.) B2 Upper Intermediatethe building or office where a consul works in a foreign city.
the official building or office of a consul, typically providing services to citizens of the consul's home country.
ExampleIf you lose your passport while traveling, you should go to your nearest consulate for help.
ExampleThe local consulate provides essential services to expatriates, including the processing of emergency travel documents and the notarization of legal papers.
UsageOften used with the definite article 'the' when referring to a specific city's office.
- diplomatic mission
- office
PitfallI went to the consulate to get a visa for my own country.I went to the consulate to get a visa for their country.A consulate represents a foreign government; you visit it to deal with that foreign country's paperwork.
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2 period of government (n.) C1 Advanced Formalthe time during which a consul is in power, or a government led by consuls.
the period of office of a consul, or a government characterized by the rule of consuls, such as in ancient Rome or Napoleonic France.
ExampleThe historian wrote a book about the French Consulate under Napoleon.
ExampleDuring his first consulate, the statesman implemented several sweeping reforms that stabilized the economy after years of civil unrest.
UsageFrequently capitalized when referring to specific historical periods, such as the French Consulate (1799–1804).
From Middle English consulat, consulate, from Latin consulātus, from consul + -ātus. In some senses, via French consulat. By surface analysis, consul + -ate (forms nouns denoting rank or office).