municipality

noun

mu·​nic·​i·​pal·​i·​ty myu̇-ˌni-sə-ˈpa-lə-tē 

plural municipalities

1

: a primarily urban political unit (such as a city or town) having corporate (see corporate sense 1a) status and usually powers of self-government

Elections were held in the municipality.

2

: the governing body of a municipality

The municipality approved the budget for the year.

Synonyms of municipality

• city
• town
• metropolis

Examples of municipality in a Sentence

laws that have been enacted by many states and municipalities

a municipality with an excellent police department

Recent Examples on the Web

The staff were working at the 20 MW Langtang Khola Hydroelectric Project in Rasuwa municipality near the border with China, according to RSS national news agency. — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026

Those issues have been talking points throughout the data center conversations held by municipalities across the Carolinas. — Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 25 Aug. 2026

Trantalis argues the state should be putting restrictions on insurance companies, not municipalities. — Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026

After seeing an influx of burglaries of bars and restaurants with video gaming terminals, Oak Lawn and Alsip are among municipalities that recently legalized security foggers to help businesses fight back. — Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1790, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for municipality

• bisexuality
• collegiality
• conditionality
• congeniality
• conventionality
• conviviality
• dimensionality
• directionality
• emotionality
• essentiality
• eventuality
• grammaticality

Kids Definition

municipality

noun

mu·​nic·​i·​pal·​i·​ty myu̇-ˌnis-ə-ˈpal-ət-ē 

plural municipalities

: a self-governing city or town

Legal Definition

municipality

noun

mu·​nic·​i·​pal·​i·​ty myu̇-ˌni-sə-ˈpa-lə-tē 

plural municipalities

: a primarily urban municipal corporation

also : the governing body of a municipality