council

1 of 2

noun

coun·​cil ˈkau̇n(t)-səl How to pronounce council (audio)
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
5
a
: a federation of or a central body uniting a group of organizations
the National Council of Teachers of English
b
: a local chapter of an organization
c

council

2 of 2

adjective

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

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
Noun
How these roles might be enshrined in a constitution can be considered by the presidential council and a consultative body such as the National Council. Raja Khalidi, Foreign Affairs, 19 Mar. 2024 All members of the transitional council also must back the deployment of a foreign armed force. Bert Wilkinson, Quartz, 19 Mar. 2024 The appointee is selected by a majority vote of the council and Mayor Kate Gallego. Taylor Seely, The Arizona Republic, 18 Mar. 2024 Members of the Metro Council created a Charging Committee and the formal charges were read in front of the council. Eleanor McCrary, The Courier-Journal, 18 Mar. 2024 His resignation was accepted by the council and effective that day. Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2024 Workers got the new minimum wage, which can increase annually with inflation, and establishment of the council to examine working conditions. Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial Boards, The Mercury News, 16 Mar. 2024 Additionally, all six members of the common council signed Kennedy's nomination papers in his support. Claudia Levens, Journal Sentinel, 15 Mar. 2024 Councilmember Eric Joyce backed some residents who told the council the building should have more affordable housing. Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 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.

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Adjective

Middle English counceil, from Anglo-French cunseil, cuncile, from Latin concilium, from com- + calare to call — more at low entry 3

First Known Use

Noun

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of council was in the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near council

Cite this Entry

“Council.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/council. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

council

noun
coun·​cil
ˈkau̇n(t)-səl
1
: a meeting for consultation
2
: an advisory or legislative body
the governor's council
3
: an administrative body
city council

Legal Definition

council

noun
coun·​cil ˈkau̇n-səl How to pronounce council (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on council

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