municipality

noun

mu·​nic·​i·​pal·​i·​ty myu̇-ˌni-sə-ˈpa-lə-tē How to pronounce municipality (audio)
plural municipalities
1
: a primarily urban political unit 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.

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Though the county may also do the work on the water mains and related tasks — Rozwadowski said it is being negotiated — the municipalities will be paying for it. Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2025 In a Facebook post shared on Sunday, May 18, the Constitutional City Council of San Mateo del Mar, a coastal town and municipality in Oaxaca, Mexico, announced the death of Adal Jair Maldonado Marcos. David Chiu, People.com, 19 May 2025 And while the courts originally said transfer tax revenue must go into a municipality’s general fund, special taxes under Upland can be exclusively directed to whatever the local government, or special interest group, wants. Jon Coupal, Oc Register, 19 May 2025 The footage of a family being torn apart is disturbing to watch but the municipality cannot interfere in or prevent a federal detainment. Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for municipality

Word History

First Known Use

1790, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of municipality was in 1790

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Cite this Entry

“Municipality.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/municipality. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

municipality

noun
mu·​nic·​i·​pal·​i·​ty myu̇-ˌnis-ə-ˈpal-ət-ē How to pronounce municipality (audio)
plural municipalities
: a self-governing city or town

Legal Definition

municipality

noun
mu·​nic·​i·​pal·​i·​ty myu̇-ˌni-sə-ˈpa-lə-tē How to pronounce municipality (audio)
plural municipalities
: a primarily urban municipal corporation
also : the governing body of a municipality

More from Merriam-Webster on municipality

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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