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 new municipality’s boundaries spanned just one mile north, south, east and west. — Ryan Gillespie, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 July 2026

But their impacts are very local, since the energy and water that is consumed and the emissions generated all take place in the municipality where the data center is located. — Sasha Luccioni, Time, 3 July 2026

While Thunberg says he’s seen some support for the lanes, Knox, who is also on the LNTC board, says local municipalities haven’t been convinced. — Michael Praats, Charlotte Observer, 4 July 2026

Additionally, the state’s emergency response team remains in contact with every affected town and stands ready to send additional support the moment a municipality requests it. — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 5 July 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