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

• assembly
• congress
• convention
• convocation
• gathering
• get-together
• huddle
• meeting

Example Sentences

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

The other two participants, council members Kevin de León and Gil Cedillo, have so far refused to step down. Reis Thebault, Anchorage Daily News, 17 Nov. 2022

Marshall urged council members to stay engaged during the session. al, 17 Nov. 2022

The other two participants, council members Kevin de León and Gil Cedillo, have so far refused to step down. Reis Thebault, BostonGlobe.com, 16 Nov. 2022

On Wednesday, a coalition of community groups are planning a rally in Boyle Heights to demand, once again, that one of the council members involved, Kevin de León, resign. Erika D. Smithcolumnist, Los Angeles Times, 16 Nov. 2022

While on City Council, Gallagher pushed for a salary for council members. Megan Stringer, San Antonio Express-News, 16 Nov. 2022

In neighboring Oceanside, two new council members were elected decisively. Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Nov. 2022

The other council members echoed Garcia’s optimism, citing the benefits of a central location accessible by light rail and nearby freeways. Theo Mackie, The Arizona Republic, 16 Nov. 2022

But several council members expressed concerns about having the city create a full-time communications coordinator position. Ed Wittenberg, cleveland, 15 Nov. 2022

Adjective

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

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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

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing council

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

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

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