consultation

Everyday

1. A meeting with an expert, such as a doctor or lawyer, to get advice. tree →
2. The act of asking people for their views before making a decision: «after consultation with parents». tree →
3. (formal) The act of looking something up in a book or source: «consultation of the map». tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life: a doctor's consultation, a vet consultation, a consultation with a lawyer about a will or custody. At school and in towns: a consultation asks parents, pupils or residents what they think about a plan (a new playground, new uniform). It tells the reader that people were asked before deciding. Phrases: «in consultation with», «public consultation», «a free consultation», «consultation period».

Examples

• Mum had a consultation with the doctor about her bad back. tree →
• The council held a public consultation about the new skate park. tree →
• The school changed the uniform after consultation with parents. tree →
• The vet charged for a short consultation. tree →
• The plan was made in consultation with the pupils. tree →
• Dad booked a consultation with a lawyer. tree →
• The consultation lasted twenty minutes. tree →
• Hypsipyle listened attentively to the advice of her nurse, and after some consultation, decided to invite the strangers into the city. tree →

Note

Countable. Verb: «consult» (consult a doctor, consult a dictionary). Formal; in speech people say «appointment» for the doctor and «asking people» for the other sense. «In consultation with» means «working together with and asking».