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

• asphalt jungle
• burg
• city
• cosmopolis
• megacity
• megalopolis
• metropolis
• town

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

Image To defray the cost of upgrading or replacing vending machines, some municipalities offer subsidies, but most of the cost will fall on shop owners. —John Yoon, New York Times, 7 June 2024

Two of them have previously run for office unsuccessfully, while one has already been involved in the municipality’s political structure, but all assure residents that their vote will be independent. —Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 7 June 2024

Wichita city operations ground to a halt when the municipality’s computer system’s were taken hostage in May. —Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 3 June 2024

The mayor pointed out that San Jose political leaders must soon pass a budget that’s balanced but also allows the city to tackle homelessness and meet the municipality’s environmental responsibilities. —George Avalos, The Mercury News, 1 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1790, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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