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consultation

n.
US //ˌkɑnsəɫˈteɪʃən// UK //kɒnsəltˈeɪʃən// con·sul·ta·tion
  1. 1 medical or professional meeting (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Medicine

    a private meeting with a professional, like a doctor or lawyer, to get their expert advice.

    a formal appointment with a professional practitioner to seek expert advice or diagnosis.

    Example

    You will need to book a consultation with the specialist to discuss your test results.

    Example

    The initial consultation lasted nearly an hour as the surgeon meticulously explained the risks and benefits of the proposed procedure.

    Usage

    Often used with the prepositions 'with' or 'between'.
  2. 2 the process of discussing (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Formal

    the act of discussing something with people before making a decision.

    the process of seeking information or advice from people or organisations before making a final decision or policy change.

    Example

    The new park was built after a long consultation with the local community.

    Example

    The government launched a public consultation to gauge the environmental impact of the proposed high-speed rail link.

    Usage

    Commonly appears in the phrase 'in consultation with'.
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  1. 3 referring to a book or document (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal Academic

    the act of looking at a book, map, or document to find information.

    the act of referring to a source of information or a document for verification or research.

    Example

    These rare books are available for consultation only within the library.

    Example

    The archive provides digital copies of the manuscripts to ensure their preservation while allowing for scholarly consultation.

    Usage

    Often used in the context of libraries or archives.
Origin

From Middle French consultation, from Latin consultatio. Morphologically consult + -ation.

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