consequence

UK: /ˈkɒnsɪkwɛns/

US: /ˈkɑnsɪˌkwɛns, -kwəns/

US: (kon′si kwens′, -kwəns)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

con•se•quence /ˈkɑnsɪˌkwɛns, -kwəns/   n. 

1. the effect, result, or outcome of something occurring earlier:
   [countable] What will be the consequences of threatening him with military intervention?
2. [uncountable] importance or significance:
   a matter of no consequence.

Idioms

3. Idioms in consequence, [uncountable] consequently;
   as a result;
   therefore:
   In consequence, you'll have to be careful.
4. take the consequences, to suffer something unpleasant as a result of some other action, event, etc.:
   If you don't pay your bills you'll have to take the consequences.

See -seq-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

con•se•quence  (kon′si kwens′, -kwəns), n. 

1. the effect, result, or outcome of something occurring earlier:
   The accident was the consequence of reckless driving.
2. an act or instance of following something as an effect, result, or outcome.
3. the conclusion reached by a line of reasoning;
   inference.
4. importance or significance:
   a matter of no consequence.
5. importance in rank or position;
   distinction:
   a man of great consequence in art.
6. Idioms in consequence, consequently;
   as a result;
   hence:
   He withdrew from the world, and in consequence was forgotten.
7. Idioms in consequence of, as a result of;
   on account of:
   A trial was held in consequence of the investigation.

• Latin consequentia. See consequent, -ence
• Anglo-French)
• Middle English (1350–1400

Synonyms

• 1. outcome, issue, upshot, sequel. See effect. 
• 4. moment, weight. See importance. 

Antonyms

• 1. cause.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

consequence / ˈkɒnsɪkwəns/ noun

1. a result or effect of some previous occurrence
2. an unpleasant result (esp in the phrase take the consequences)
3. significance or importance: it's of no consequence, a work of consequence
4. a conclusion reached by reasoning
5. in consequence ⇒ as a result