privy council

noun

|Updated on: 29 May 2018

Definition of privy council

1 archaic : a secret or private council

2 capitalized P&C : a body of officials and dignitaries chosen by the British monarch as an advisory council to the Crown usually functioning through its committees

3 : a usually appointive advisory council to an executive

—

privy councillor

noun

Recent Examples of privy council from the Web

Henry’s privy council wanted to imprison and/or execute Charles Brandon for treason, but in the end the king realized that would probably make family reunions super awkward, so Brandon just had to pay a stiff fine.

— anne thériault, Longreads, "Queens of Infamy: Anne Boleyn," 25 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'privy council.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.