Use consummation in formal writing for an important final achievement or closing point. In everyday English, completion, fulfillment, or final step often sounds more natural.
Use consummation in formal writing for an important final achievement or closing point. In everyday English, completion, fulfillment, or final step often sounds more natural.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| The consummation started the project. | The consummation completed the project. |
| It was a consummation of the first step. | It was the consummation of years of work. |
| Consummation means only a wedding night. | Consummation can also mean completion or fulfillment. |
| The deal made consummation yesterday. | The deal reached consummation yesterday. |
Use consummation in this sense only when the marriage, legal, religious, or historical context is clear. The rules and legal effects vary greatly by jurisdiction and period.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| Consummation is the wedding ceremony. | Consummation is distinct from the wedding ceremony. |
| Every country has the same consummation law. | Consummation law differs by jurisdiction. |
| They consummation the marriage. | They consummated the marriage. |
| Non-consummation always means divorce. | Non-consummation may be relevant to annulment in some systems. |
Choose the sense from context. For deals and projects, it usually means culmination. For marriage and law, it has a technical and sensitive meaning.
Consummation is not always sexual. It can also mean the completion or fulfillment of a plan, agreement, or desire.
From Latin consummare, to complete or bring to completion, formed with con- and summa, a total or sum. The marriage sense is a specialized use of the idea of completing something.
What does consummation mean?
It can mean completion or fulfillment, and in marriage contexts it means sexual consummation after marriage.
Is consummation always about marriage?
No. It can also mean the final completion or fulfillment of a plan, deal, desire, or process.
What does consummation of marriage mean?
It refers to the first recognized sexual intercourse after marriage in legal, religious, or historical contexts.
Is consummation a formal word?
Yes. In the general sense, completion, fulfillment, or culmination is often more natural in everyday English.
What is non-consummation?
Non-consummation means the absence of consummation, sometimes relevant to annulment in certain legal or religious systems.
What is a synonym for consummation?
In the general sense, synonyms include completion, fulfillment, realization, culmination, and finalization.
How do you use consummation in a sentence?
For example: The signing was the consummation of years of negotiation.