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
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
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
David Shortell, CNN, 12 Apr. 2024
The federal council that regulates fishing along the West Coast recommended Wednesday that the California ocean salmon season be canceled for the second year in a row.
—Chris Spinder, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2024
The council also recommended that the California Fish and Game Commission close down inland fishing for salmon on the state’s rivers at a meeting next month.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2024
Still, Fraga requested that council members prioritize attending her workshop.
—Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2024
The report also comes in the wake of a corruption scandal that rocked City Hall, in which three council members were arrested in 2020 and later convicted on federal corruption charges.
—Sharon Coolidge, The Enquirer, 11 Apr. 2024
Morris is a Haltom City council member running for Place 1 against Trae Fowler, a developer and business owner, and Sayeda Bilqees Syed, who has served on the TAD board and works as a mechanical engineer.
—Noah Alcala Bach, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Apr. 2024
The bill’s sponsor, Shaun Abreu, a council member from northern Manhattan, predicted that this attempt would be more effective than past efforts, particularly when paired with the city’s broader push to fight rats, which involves putting trash in containers and expanding composting.
—Emma G. Fitzsimmons, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2024
Judge says Kari Lake conceded defamation suit; discovery could still proceed on damages Fountain Hills sanctions 'bully' council member, orders him to get a chaperone GOP wants to scrap Arizona early voting.
—The Arizona Republic, 30 Mar. 2024
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
Noun
An interim council now runs the town, albeit with few of the powers of a regular government.
—David Shortell, CNN, 12 Apr. 2024
The federal council that regulates fishing along the West Coast recommended Wednesday that the California ocean salmon season be canceled for the second year in a row.
—Chris Spinder, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2024
The council also recommended that the California Fish and Game Commission close down inland fishing for salmon on the state’s rivers at a meeting next month.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2024
Still, Fraga requested that council members prioritize attending her workshop.
—Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2024
The report also comes in the wake of a corruption scandal that rocked City Hall, in which three council members were arrested in 2020 and later convicted on federal corruption charges.
—Sharon Coolidge, The Enquirer, 11 Apr. 2024
Morris is a Haltom City council member running for Place 1 against Trae Fowler, a developer and business owner, and Sayeda Bilqees Syed, who has served on the TAD board and works as a mechanical engineer.
—Noah Alcala Bach, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Apr. 2024
The bill’s sponsor, Shaun Abreu, a council member from northern Manhattan, predicted that this attempt would be more effective than past efforts, particularly when paired with the city’s broader push to fight rats, which involves putting trash in containers and expanding composting.
—Emma G. Fitzsimmons, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2024
Judge says Kari Lake conceded defamation suit; discovery could still proceed on damages Fountain Hills sanctions 'bully' council member, orders him to get a chaperone GOP wants to scrap Arizona early voting.
—The Arizona Republic, 30 Mar. 2024
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
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'council.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Articles Related to council
Dictionary Entries Near council
Cite this Entry
“Council.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/council. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationLegal 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share