Vocabulary word Consensus - Practice with online flashcards, spelling bees and vocabulary quizzes

Agreements and Settlements

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Compliance and Submission

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Decision and Discretion

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Uniformity and Consistency

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Dictionary Definition of consensus

A general agreement or a state of being in agreement among a group of people.
"The family reached a consensus on where to go for their summer vacation."

Detailed Meaning of Consensus

It can also refer to a collective opinion or point of view that is reached by a group through discussion and compromise. For example, "the team reached a consensus on the project's goals" or "there was a consensus among the panel of experts." In politics, a consensus is a general agreement among the members of a group or society about an issue or course of action. In decision-making, a consensus is a situation in which everyone agrees to a proposal, rather than a majority vote. Consensus decision-making is a group decision-making process where participants come to a mutual agreement on a proposal. It is often used in business, politics, and other areas where a group of people must reach a decision together. In summary, consensus refers to a general agreement or a state of being in agreement among a group of people, often used to describe a collective opinion or decision reached by a group through discussion and compromise.

Example Sentences for Consensus

1. After a lengthy discussion, the team finally reached a consensus on the project's direction.
2. The board of directors couldn't come to a consensus about the company's expansion plans.
3. In a democratic society, decisions are often made based on a consensus of the people.
4. Consensus among the committee members was crucial to approve the budget.
5. Despite differing opinions, the team worked diligently to find a consensus.
6. The committee was unable to achieve a consensus on the controversial proposal.

Origin and Etymology of Consensus

The noun 'consensus' has its roots in the Latin language, stemming from the word 'consentire,' which combines 'con,' meaning 'together,' and 'sentire,' meaning 'to feel' or 'to think.' 'Consentire' conveyed the idea of people coming together in thought or feeling, reflecting agreement and unity of mind. In English, 'consensus' was adopted in the mid-17th century to describe a general agreement or a state of being in agreement among a group of people. The etymology of 'consensus' underscores its historical connection to the concept of shared thoughts and feelings, emphasizing the harmony and alignment of opinions or ideas within a collective, making it a fundamental term in discussions of agreement and decision-making.

Quiz Question - Test Your Understanding

Find the correct meaning of the noun consensus:

division

discord

agreement

disagreement

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More Usage Examples of Consensus

1. Consensus-building is an essential skill in effective leadership.
2. The international conference aimed to establish a consensus on global economic policies.
3. Achieving a consensus on the new company policies required multiple rounds of negotiation.
4. In a healthy relationship, partners should strive to reach a consensus on important decisions.
5. The teacher encouraged the students to work together and reach a consensus on their group project.
6. The peace negotiations aimed to find a consensus between the warring factions.
7. The jury deliberated for hours before finally reaching a consensus on the verdict.
8. Consensus is often the result of open and respectful dialogue.
9. The political leaders struggled to find a consensus on the controversial legislation.
10. The team was pleased to reach a consensus, as it meant they could move forward with the project.
11. Consensus-building fosters a sense of unity and collaboration within an organization.
12. The committee's ability to achieve a consensus was seen as a significant achievement.
13. After much discussion, we finally reached a consensus on the issue.
14. The team couldn't find a consensus on the best approach to the project.
15. There was a clear consensus among the jurors about the verdict.
16. Achieving a consensus among the committee members was challenging.
17. The conference attendees struggled to establish a consensus on the topic.
18. In the end, a consensus emerged, and the decision was unanimous.
19. The board meeting aimed to reach a consensus on the budget proposal.
20. We need to build a consensus among stakeholders for the new policy.
21. Despite differing opinions, they managed to find a consensus.
22. The town hall meeting aimed to gauge public consensus on the issue.