console

1 of 2

noun

con·​sole ˈkän-ˌsōl How to pronounce console (audio)
1
: an architectural member projecting from a wall to form a bracket or from a keystone for ornament
2
3
a
: an upright case that houses the keyboards and controlling mechanisms of an organ and from which the organ is played
b
: a combination of readouts or displays and an input device (such as a keyboard or switches) by which an operator can monitor and interact with a system (such as a computer or dubber)
4
a
: a cabinet (as for a radio or television set) designed to rest directly on the floor
b
: a small storage cabinet between bucket seats in an automobile
5
: an electronic system that connects to a display (such as a television set) and is used primarily to play video games

console

2 of 2

verb

con·​sole kən-ˈsōl How to pronounce console (audio)
consoled; consoling

transitive verb

: to alleviate the grief, sense of loss, or trouble of : comfort
console a widow
I consoled myself with the thought that things could be much worse.
consoler noun
plural consolers
He was a tactful consoler and capable of great generosity to people in trouble. Ferdinand Mount
consolingly adverb

Examples of console in a Sentence

Noun a custom-built walnut console holds all of their home-theater components Verb Nothing could console her after his death. the military officer who must console the bereaved at a soldier's funeral
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Hacking a pre-Internet console Making this amusing amalgam of past and present technology possible required some clever engineering. ArsTechnica, 12 Sep. 2025 From a client presentation to a console gaming session, this concept offers real adaptability that blends in with any setting with ease. Matt Emma, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
After the turnover, Perich put his helmet in his hands as fellow special-teams members tried to console him. Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 14 Sep. 2025 Tebow, a new mother, said there are no words to console anyone in this situation. Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 11 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for console

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French

Verb

French consoler, from Latin consolari, from com- + solari to console

First Known Use

Noun

1664, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1673, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of console was in 1664

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Console.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/console. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

console

1 of 2 noun
con·​sole ˈkän-ˌsōl How to pronounce console (audio)
1
a
: the part of an organ at which the organist sits and which contains the keyboard and controls
b
: a panel or cabinet with dials and switches for controlling an electronic or mechanical device
2
: a cabinet (as for a phonograph or television set) that stands on the floor
3
: an electronic system that connects to a display (as a TV set) and is used to play video games

console

2 of 2 verb
con·​sole kən-ˈsōl How to pronounce console (audio)
consoled; consoling
: to comfort in times of grief, distress, or suffering

More from Merriam-Webster on console

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!