# consultation

/ˌkɑnsəɫˈteɪʃən/ (US) · /kɒnsəltˈeɪʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/consultation
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. medical or professional meeting

noun · CEFR B2

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

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

- You will need to book a consultation with the specialist to discuss your test results.
- 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. the process of discussing

noun · CEFR B2 · Formal

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

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

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

### 3. referring to a book or document

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal · Academic

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

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

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

## Examples

- I have a consultation with my doctor tomorrow morning.
- The government began a public consultation to hear what local residents thought about the new highway project.
- After a lengthy consultation with her legal team, the CEO decided that settling the dispute out of court was the most pragmatic path forward for the company's reputation.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.