Definition of consultation noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

consultation

noun

/ˌkɒnslˈteɪʃn/

/ˌkɑːnslˈteɪʃn/

[uncountable] the act of discussing something with somebody or with a group of people before making a decision about it
- a consultation document/paper/period/process
- consultation with somebody/something The decision was taken after close consultation with local residents.
- in consultation with somebody/something acting in consultation with all the departments involved
Synonyms discussion
discussionconversation ▪ dialogue ▪ talk ▪ debate ▪ consultation ▪ chat ▪ gossipThese are all words for an occasion when people talk about something.
discussion a detailed conversation about something that is considered to be important:
Discussions are still taking place between the two leaders.
conversation a talk, usually a private or informal one, involving two people or a small group; the activity of talking in this way:
a telephone conversation
dialogue conversations in a book, play or film:
The novel has long descriptions and not much dialogue.
A dialogue is also a formal discussion between two groups, especially when they are trying to solve a problem or end a dispute:
The President told waiting reporters there had been a constructive dialogue.
talk a conversation or discussion, often one about a problem or something important for the people involved:
I had a long talk with my boss about my career prospects.
debate a formal discussion of an issue at a public meeting or in a parliament. In a debate two or more speakers express opposing views and then there is often a vote on the issue:
a debate on prison reform
consultation a formal discussion between groups of people before a decision is made about something:
There have been extensive consultations between the two countries.
chat a friendly informal conversation; informal talking. The countable use of chat is especially British English: I just called in for a chat about the kids. gossip a conversation about other people and their private lives:
We had a good gossip about the boss.
Patterns
- a discussion/conversation/dialogue/talk/debate/consultation/chat/gossip about something
- a discussion/conversation/dialogue/debate/consultation on something
- in (close) discussion/conversation/dialogue/debate/consultation with somebody
- to have a discussion/conversation/dialogue/talk/debate/consultation/chat/gossip with somebody
- to hold a discussion/conversation/debate/consultation
Extra Examples
- The company has promised wide consultation on its expansion plans.
- The plan was developed in close consultation with the local community.
- There will be a period of public consultation before a decision is reached.
- They have taken this decision without any consultation.
- We need more consultation with the unions.
- You should seek expert consultation.
- A consultation period will be required.
- He has been acting in consultation with all the departments involved.
Topics Preferences and decisionsc1
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
adjective
- close
- extensive
- full
- …
verb + consultation
- have
- hold
consultation + noun
- document
- paper
- period
- …
preposition
- in consultation with
- without consultation
- consultation about
- …
See full entry
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[countable] a formal meeting to discuss something
- There have been extensive consultations between the two countries.
Synonyms discussion
discussionconversation ▪ dialogue ▪ talk ▪ debate ▪ consultation ▪ chat ▪ gossipThese are all words for an occasion when people talk about something.
discussion a detailed conversation about something that is considered to be important:
Discussions are still taking place between the two leaders.
conversation a talk, usually a private or informal one, involving two people or a small group; the activity of talking in this way:
a telephone conversation
dialogue conversations in a book, play or film:
The novel has long descriptions and not much dialogue.
A dialogue is also a formal discussion between two groups, especially when they are trying to solve a problem or end a dispute:
The President told waiting reporters there had been a constructive dialogue.
talk a conversation or discussion, often one about a problem or something important for the people involved:
I had a long talk with my boss about my career prospects.
debate a formal discussion of an issue at a public meeting or in a parliament. In a debate two or more speakers express opposing views and then there is often a vote on the issue:
a debate on prison reform
consultation a formal discussion between groups of people before a decision is made about something:
There have been extensive consultations between the two countries.
chat a friendly informal conversation; informal talking. The countable use of chat is especially British English: I just called in for a chat about the kids. gossip a conversation about other people and their private lives:
We had a good gossip about the boss.
Patterns
- a discussion/conversation/dialogue/talk/debate/consultation/chat/gossip about something
- a discussion/conversation/dialogue/debate/consultation on something
- in (close) discussion/conversation/dialogue/debate/consultation with somebody
- to have a discussion/conversation/dialogue/talk/debate/consultation/chat/gossip with somebody
- to hold a discussion/conversation/debate/consultation
Extra Examples
- a consultation between teachers and parents
- The police chiefs will hold a consultation with all the relevant groups.
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
adjective
- close
- extensive
- full
- …
verb + consultation
- have
- hold
consultation + noun
- document
- paper
- period
- …
preposition
- in consultation with
- without consultation
- consultation about
- …
See full entry
[countable] a meeting with an expert, especially a doctor, to get advice or treatment
- A 30-minute consultation will cost £500.
Synonyms interview
interviewinterrogation ▪ audience ▪ consultationThese are all words for a meeting or occasion when somebody is asked for information, opinions or advice.
interview a formal meeting at which somebody is asked questions, for example, to see if they are suitable for a particular job or course of study, or in order to find out their opinions about something:
a job interview
interrogation the process of asking somebody a lot of questions, especially in an aggressive way, in order to get information; an occasion on which this is done:
He confessed after four days under interrogation.
audience a formal meeting with an important person:
The Pope granted her a private audience.
consultation a meeting with an expert, especially a doctor, to get advice or treatment.
Patterns
- an in-depth interview/consultation
- a police interview/interrogation
- to have/request a(n) interview/audience/consultation with somebody
- to give/grant somebody a(n) interview/audience/consultation
- to carry out/conduct an interview/interrogation
Extra Examples
- I had a consultation with a dermatologist.
- The practice provides medical consultations for drug addicts.
- a joint consultation with doctors and patients
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
adjective
- personal
- private
- free
- …
verb + consultation
- have
- provide
- seek
- …
consultation + noun
- service
- fee
preposition
- consultation with
See full entry
[uncountable] the act of looking for information in a book, etc.
- There is a large collection of texts available for consultation online.

Word Originlate Middle English: from Latin consultatio(n-), from the verb consultare, frequentative of consulere ‘take counsel’.

See consultation in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee consultation in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English

Check pronunciation: consultation

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