municipality

noun

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

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.

Synonyms

• 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

In short, even with risk lurking just around the corner, the economic incentives have yet aligned clearly for many companies, individuals, and municipalities. —Justin Worland, Time, 3 Oct. 2025

Equity at the core Streetlight poles, Hu explained, are already powered, usually owned by municipalities, and located in high-traffic areas. —Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2025

The ceremony was hosted by Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana in collaboration with the United Nations Alliance for Sustainable Fashion, with the support of the municipality of Milan. —Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 3 Oct. 2025

If a municipality has a wheel tax, that doesn’t mean residents are exempt from their county’s version. —Stuart Dyos, USA Today, 2 Oct. 2025

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