council: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal / Institutional
Quick answer
What does “council” mean?
A group of people elected or appointed to make decisions, give advice, or discuss issues for a town, city, organization, or other body.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A group of people elected or appointed to make decisions, give advice, or discuss issues for a town, city, organization, or other body.
Any formal group convened for deliberation, consultation, or administration; also refers to the administrative body governing a municipality (local government) or a specific meeting of such a group.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'council' is the standard term for local government authorities (e.g., local council, city council). In American English, while 'city council' is common, local government structures vary more (e.g., 'board of supervisors', 'commission').
Connotations
In the UK, it strongly connotes local government services and bureaucracy (e.g., council tax, council house). In the US, the connotation is more narrowly focused on the legislative body of a municipality.
Frequency
Higher frequency in UK English due to its central role in local governance terminology.
Grammar
How to Use “council” in a Sentence
[be] on the council[be] elected to the council[serve] on the council[bring/present] an issue before the councilcouncil [votes/decides/approves]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “council” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The council tax bill arrived.
- They live in a council flat.
American English
- The council district map is online.
- She attended the council meeting.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
An advisory council may be formed to guide corporate strategy.
Academic
The university's research council allocates funding for new projects.
Everyday
We need to report the pothole to the local council.
Technical
The General Medical Council regulates doctors in the UK.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “council”
Strong
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “council”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “council”
- Spelling confusion: 'council' vs. 'counsel'. Incorrect: 'He gave me good council.' Correct: 'He gave me good counsel.'
- Using it as a verb. 'To council' is incorrect. The verb is 'to counsel'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Council' is a noun for a group of people (e.g., town council). 'Counsel' can be a noun for advice or a lawyer, or a verb meaning to give advice.
Yes. In the UK, 'the council' is a primary term for local government and is part of daily life (council tax, housing). In the US, 'city council' is common but local government has more varied names (e.g., board, commission).
No. 'To council' is incorrect. The related verb is 'to counsel' (to give advice).
It is a British term for public housing complexes built and managed by a local council.
A group of people elected or appointed to make decisions, give advice, or discuss issues for a town, city, organization, or other body.
Council is usually formal / institutional in register.
Council: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkaʊn.səl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkaʊn.səl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a council of war”
- “the council of elders”
- “in council (in a formal meeting)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: A COUNCIL makes COUNSEL (advice). The 'council' (with an 'i') is the group of people who give 'counsel' (with an 'e').
Conceptual Metaphor
GOVERNMENT IS A DELIBERATIVE BODY. The city council is the brain of the municipality.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following words is a common synonym for 'council' in the context of local government?