Definition

1. Noun:
   • The collective body of diplomatic personnel: The "diplomatic corps" refers to the entire group of diplomats and their staff who are accredited to a particular country or international organization. This body typically includes ambassadors, chargés d'affaires, counselors, and other diplomatic officials from various foreign nations.

Usage

• The term is used as a singular collective noun to describe the entire community of foreign diplomats in a capital city or at an international seat.
• It often functions in formal, political, and international relations contexts.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The ambassador addressed the local diplomatic corps at the annual reception.
  • Protocol dictates that the dean of the diplomatic corps is the longest-serving ambassador.

Advanced Usage

• "The diplomatic corps accredited to [a country/city]": Specifies the location where the diplomats are posted.
  • The diplomatic corps accredited to the United Nations is very large and diverse.
• "Member of the diplomatic corps": Refers to an individual who is part of this collective body.
  • As a member of the diplomatic corps, she enjoys certain legal immunities.

Variants and Related Words

• Diplomatic community: A near-synonymous phrase often used interchangeably with "diplomatic corps."
• Corps diplomatique: The French term from which the English phrase is derived.

Synonyms

• Diplomatic body: A formal synonym.
• Diplomatic service: This can be a synonym but more specifically refers to the foreign service of a single country. "Diplomatic corps" implies a multinational group.

Notes on Meaning

• The "diplomatic corps" is distinct from a single country's embassy (the physical mission) or its foreign service (its own diplomatic personnel). It is the aggregate of all such foreign missions and personnel in a host location.
• The head of the diplomatic corps is usually called the doyen or dean, typically the longest-serving ambassador.

Noun

1. the body of diplomatic personnel