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

Jalisco state suspended classes Friday and Monday in 22 coastal municipalities and began evacuating dozens of people from at-risk areas. — Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2026

But intense opposition from affected customers and municipalities likely played a role. — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 9 Oct. 2026

Done well, universal mental health screenings will provide the first population-level map of where youth mental health needs actually sit, letting the state and municipalities direct resources based on evidence rather than assumption. — Vanessa Andersen, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026

The attorneys have also said the district court has no jurisdiction to enforce Keller’s city ordinances — that the city, as a home-rule municipality, has the sole authority to enact and enforce local laws. — Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Oct. 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