consensus
kun-SEN-sus
/kənˈsensəs/
A general agreement reached by a group or network of actors on a given decision, state, or set of facts.
In computer science, refers to automated mechanisms by which distributed nodes agree on the validity of transactions without a central coordinator.
The story behind the word. Derived directly from Latin 'consensus', the past participle of 'consentire' ('con-' together + 'sentire' to feel/think). It literally means 'feeling together' or 'thinking with a single shared mind'.
Word relationships
- unanimity: Unanimity requires 100% agreement, whereas consensus implies general agreement where minor dissenting views may be accommodated.
- dissent: Dissent refers to holding or expressing opinions at variance with those commonly held.
Commonly confused with
- concession: A concession is yielding a point in an argument, whereas consensus is arriving at collective agreement.
Word family
- consensual (adjective): Relating to or involving mutual consent.
- consensus-building (noun): The process of reaching mutual agreement.
Collocations
- consensus mechanism
- reach a consensus
- broad consensus
- consensus rule
Idioms & expressions
- meeting of the minds
- on the same page
Example sentences
- "Achieving consensus among independent network nodes without relying on a central authority was the primary breakthrough of modern cryptography." Distributed Systems
- "Reaching consensus on climate policy requires reconciling competing national interests." Wisdom of Crowds
- "After three days of deliberation, committee members reached a consensus on the proposed budget amendments." Policy Making
Memory hook
CON-SENSUS = CONnected SENSES thinking as one. Feeling and thinking together.
When not to use
Do not use 'consensus' to mean a simple majority vote; consensus implies broad, collective agreement across participating members.
Fun facts
- The classic computer science problem of reaching consensus over unreliable channels is known as the 'Byzantine Generals Problem'.
Related words
Explore more words
Agreement, concurrence, concur, consent, groupthink, concerted
Also appears in
- Communication → Agreements & Affirmations
- Leadership → Collaboration & Teamwork
- Leadership → Decision Making & Decisiveness
- Leadership → Conflict Resolution
- Leadership → Negotiation & Compromise
- Relationships → Peer Pressure & Conformity
- Conflict → Compromise & Concession
- Environmental Policy & Sustainability Economics → International Environmental Accords
- Work & Office Life → Meetings & Conferences
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