consultation

consultation — noun

1. a meeting where people gather to discuss a topic or ask for guidance, especially

1.nounB2
Definition

a meeting where people gather to discuss a topic or ask for guidance, especially before reaching a decision

Example

The school board held a consultation with parents about the new curriculum.

consultation with [group] about [topic]

Jiwoo attended a community consultation regarding the planned subway extension.

Common collocations
  • hold a consultation
  • attend a consultation
  • consultation with
  • consultation about/on
Synonyms
  • meeting

    a more general term; consultation emphasises seeking advice

  • conference

    usually larger and more formal than a consultation

  • session

    can refer to any period of activity; a consultation is specifically advisory

Grammar Patterns

consultation + with/about/on

2. the practice of asking for guidance or opinions from others, particularly those

2.nounB2
Definition

the practice of asking for guidance or opinions from others, particularly those with relevant knowledge, before acting

Example

The new safety rules were written in consultation with firefighters and engineers.

in consultation with [experts]

After consultation with her professor, Aylin chose a different research topic.

after consultation with [person]

Common collocations
  • in consultation with
  • after consultation
  • without consultation
  • proper consultation
  • consultation of
Synonyms
  • discussion

    more general; consultation implies specifically seeking expert input

  • deliberation

    focuses on careful consideration; more formal

  • debate

    involves arguing opposing views; consultation is more cooperative

Grammar Patterns

in consultation with [person/group]

consultation of [document/group]

Usage Note

This sense is typically uncountable and often appears in the fixed phrase 'in consultation with'. Distinguish from Sense 1, which refers to a specific countable event rather than the process itself.

Common Mistakes

I had a consultation with the book' (using the word for reading).
I consulted the book.
'consultation' refers to discussing with people, not consulting a written source.

3. a private meeting with a doctor or other professional expert to examine a patien

3.nounB2
Definition

a private meeting with a doctor or other professional expert to examine a patient or problem and give specialist advice

Example

Dr. Okafor's consultations are usually booked three weeks in advance.

possessive + consultations + passive: are booked

Aarav had a telephone consultation with his lawyer about the property dispute.

Common collocations
  • consultation with
  • telephone consultation
  • online consultation
  • medical consultation
  • psychiatric consultation
Synonyms
  • appointment

    more general; consultation specifically means advice is given

  • examination

    focuses on physical check-up; a consultation may be just a discussion

Grammar Patterns

consultation with [specialist]

consultation for [condition/problem]

Usage Note

Frequently collocates with medical specialists: 'psychiatric consultation', 'surgical consultation', 'dental consultation'. Also used for legal and financial advisors. The meeting is a scheduled appointment, not an emergency.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/2

While all four words involve people exchanging ideas, they differ in purpose and tone. Consultation specifically means seeking expert advice before a decision — the advisor has relevant knowledge the seeker lacks. Discussion is the broadest term, covering any exchange of views among equals. Deliberation implies careful, methodical weighing of options, often in formal or legal settings. Debate suggests a structured argument where opposing sides defend their positions. For example, a government holds a consultation with scientists before setting pollution limits; the scientists and officials then deliberate over the data; but a debate would only happen if two factions disagreed publicly over the final policy.

consultation ↗discussion ↗deliberationdebate ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • in consultation with
  • after consultation with
  • without prior consultation

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

From Latin 'consultatio' (deliberation, conference), from 'consultare' (to consult, take counsel), a frequentative form of 'consulere' (to take counsel, deliberate). Entered English in the 1400s via Old French 'consultation'. The medical sense emerged in the early 1700s, referring specifically to a meeting of physicians on a case.