council

1 of 2

noun

coun·​cil ˈkau̇n(t)-səl 

1

: an assembly or meeting for consultation, advice, or discussion

the Second Vatican Council

2

: a group elected or appointed as an advisory or legislative body

a governor's council

a city council

3

a

: a usually administrative body

a council on housing

b

: an executive body whose members are equal in power and authority

c

: a governing body of delegates from local units of a federation

4

: deliberation in a council

5

a

: a federation of or a central body uniting a group of organizations

the National Council of Teachers of English

b

: a local chapter of an organization

c

: club, society

council

2 of 2

adjective

1

: used for councils especially by or with North American Indians

a council ground

2

British : built, maintained, or operated by a local governing agency

council housing

council flats

Synonyms

Noun

• meeting
• gathering

Examples of council in a Sentence

Noun

The city council is considering a ban on smoking in restaurants.

the governor's council on physical fitness

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Efforts by some voters in Caldwell to recall their mayor and four of the city’s council members failed this month after the organizers weren’t able to secure enough signatures to earn a recall election. —Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 23 June 2025

The council also discussed the city’s chances of becoming the lead agency on the project. —Luke Harold, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 June 2025

Adjective

Many non-council meetings, like school boards, aren’t livestreamed at all. —Blake Nelsonstaff Reporter, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Jan. 2023

Barth has previously served as an at-large member of the council and was council vice president from 2013-15. —Holly V. Hays, Indianapolis Star, 6 Sep. 2019

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Adjective

Middle English counceil, from Anglo-French cunseil, cuncile, from Latin concilium, from com- + calare to call — more at low entry 3

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing council

• city council
• council of ministers
• executive council
• legislative council
• privy council
• student council

Rhymes for council

• counsel

Kids Definition

council

noun

coun·​cil

ˈkau̇n(t)-səl

1

: a meeting for consultation

2

: an advisory or legislative body

the governor's council

3

: an administrative body

city council

Legal Definition

council

noun

coun·​cil ˈkau̇n-səl 

: a governmental body: as

a

: a group elected as a legislative body

city council

b

: an administrative body

council on aging

c

: an executive body whose members are equal in power and authority compare committee sense 2b