noun

consul

KON-sul/ˈkɑːnsl/

A government official who protects the home country’s citizens and commercial interests abroad.

The consul helps a stranded traveler replace a lost passport.

Inside a foreign office, a government official helps a traveling citizen with a lost passport while another visitor presents trade goods for assistance.

Etymology

The Roman magistrate’s title was extended to a representative chosen by merchants living abroad. That role developed into the modern state-appointed official protecting citizens and commercial interests in a foreign country.

In context

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum47:31

I was born in Poland, the American consul in Paris, wouldn't give me the visa. We waited

First Person with Sylvia Rozines, July 31, 2019

VICE7:02

And we met the consul in Shenyang, paid a visa fee.

From the DMZ Into the Hermit Kingdom - Inside North Korea (Part 1/3)

More examples

She contacted the nearest consul for assistance.
The consul met local business leaders.
Several consuls attended the official reception.

Forms

consul · consuls

Similar words

ambassador: Represents a country diplomatically at a higher level.
diplomat: Diplomat is broader and need not focus on citizens' or commercial interests abroad.