Definition of 'council'

Word Frequency

council

(kaʊnsəl )

Word forms: plural councils

1. countable noun

A council is a group of people who are elected to govern a local area such as a city or, in Britain, a county.

...Cheshire County Council.

The city council has voted almost unanimously in favour.

...David Ward, one of just two Liberal Democrats on the council.

...reports of local council meetings.

Synonyms: committee, governing body, board, panel More Synonyms of council

2. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]

Council houses or flats are owned by the local council, and people pay rent to live in them.

[British]

There is a shortage of council housing.

Council tenants around the country are planning a mass lobby of Parliament.

3. countable noun [with singular or plural verb, usu in names]

Council is used in the names of some organizations.

...the National Council for Civil Liberties.

...the Arts Council.

...community health councils.

4. countable noun [with singular or plural verb, usually singular]

In some organizations, the council is the group of people that controls or governs it.

He was a member of the council of the Royal Northern College of Music. [+ of]

...the Bundesbank's central council.

Synonyms: governing body, house, parliament, congress More Synonyms of council

5. countable noun

A council is a specially organized, formal meeting that is attended by a particular group of people.

The President said he would call a grand council of all Afghans. [+ of]

The president meets ministers at inter-ministerial councils.

Video: pronunciation of
council

council in British English

(ˈkaʊnsəl )

noun

an assembly of people meeting for discussion, consultation, etc

an emergency council

a body of people elected or appointed to serve in an administrative, legislative, or advisory capacity

a student council

3. See the council

a meeting or the deliberation of a council

5. (modifier)

of, relating to, provided for, or used by a local council

a council chamber

council offices

6. (modifier) British

provided by a local council, esp (of housing) at a subsidized rent

a council house

a council estate

7. Australian

an administrative or legislative assembly, esp the upper house of a state parliament in Australia

8. Christianity

an assembly of bishops, theologians, and other representatives of several churches or dioceses, convened for regulating matters of doctrine or discipline

▶ USAGE Avoid confusion with counsel

Word origin

C12: from Old French concile, from Latin concilium assembly, from com- together + calāre to call; influenced also by Latin consilium advice, counsel

Word Frequency

council in American English

(ˈkaʊnsəl )

noun

a group of people called together for consultation, discussion, advice, etc.

a group of people chosen as an administrative, advisory, or legislative assembly

the legislative body of a city or other municipality

b. British

the administrative body of a county, town, city, district, etc.

an assembly of church officials to discuss points of doctrine, etc.

a body of delegates from local units of a union, confederation, etc.

an organization or society, or one of its levels of governing bodies

the discussion or deliberation in a council

adjective

7. British

designating or of dwelling units built or provided by a local council (sense 3) council (sense 3b)

council houses

Word origin

ME counceil < OFr concile < L concilium, group of people, meeting < com-, together + calere, to call (see clamor); confused in form and meaning in ME with counsel

Word Frequency

council in American English

(ˈkaunsəl)

noun

an assembly of persons summoned or convened for consultation, deliberation, or advice

a body of persons specially designated or selected to act in an advisory, administrative, or legislative capacity

the governor's council on housing

3. (in certain British colonies or dependencies)

an executive or legislative body assisting the governor

an ecclesiastical assembly for deciding matters of doctrine or discipline

5. New Testament

the Sanhedrin or other authoritative body

council, counsel, and consul are not interchangeable. council is a noun. Its most common sense is “an assembly of persons convened for deliberation or the like.” It is generally used with a singular verb. A member of such a group is a councilor. counsel is both noun and verb. Its most common meaning as a noun is “advice given to another”: His counsel on domestic relations is sound. A person giving such advice is a counselor. In law, counsel means “legal adviser or advisers” and can be either singular or plural. As a verb, counsel means “to advise.” The noun consul refers to the representative of a government who guards the welfare of its citizens in a foreign country

Word origin

[1125–75; ME co(u)nsile ‹ AF cuncil(e), OF concile ‹ LL concilium synod, church council (L: assembly), prob. equiv. to L con- con- + -cil(āre), comb. form of calāre to summon, convoke + -ium -ium; ME -s- by assoc. with AF cunseil counsel]

Examples of 'council' in a sentence
council

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Not surprisingly, Adrina's first appearance at the war council caused a stir, even more than Tristan's inclusion.It's all I can do to squeeze enough out of the council to run the scout cars.He wasn't particularly surprised at the idea of corruption on the local council.That night the people held a council to decide what they should do.