View synonyms for

council

[koun-suhl]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

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.
(in certain British colonies or dependencies) an executive or legislative body assisting the governor.
an ecclesiastical assembly for deciding matters of doctrine or discipline.
New Testament.��the Sanhedrin or other authoritative body.

council

/ ˈ�첹ʊ�Բ�ə�� /

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
(sometimes capital) the local governing authority of a town, county, etc
a meeting or the deliberation of a council
(modifier) of, relating to, provided for, or used by a local council
a council chamber
council offices
(modifier) provided by a local council, esp (of housing) at a subsidized rent
a council house
a council estate
an administrative or legislative assembly, esp the upper house of a state parliament in Australia
Christianity an assembly of bishops, theologians, and other representatives of several churches or dioceses, convened for regulating matters of doctrine or discipline

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Confusables Note

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.

See counsel

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Other Word Forms

subcouncil noun

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Word History and Origins

Origin of council¹

First recorded in 1125–75; Middle English co(u)nsile, from Anglo-French cuncil ( e ), Old French concile, from Late Latin concilium “synod, church council” ( Latin: “assembly”), probably equivalent to Latin con- con- + -��(��), combining form of �� “to summon, convoke” + -ium -ium; Middle English -s- by association with Anglo-French cunseil counsel

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Word History and Origins

Origin of council¹

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

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Ceredigion council said it needed to change its system due to increased demand on the housing register and homelessness services, meaning everyone needs to reapply.

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"Given our current financial situation, we now intend to sell the surrounding land to a housing developer and inform the council of our intentions as part of the Local Development Plan."

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For example, in Rotherham the council has introduced taxi cameras and a 100% pass mark requirement for safeguarding tests for drivers.

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If councils can't make up the acute shortages of planning officers to process applications, then tweaking the rules will have a limited effect.

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The centre had been providing emergency shelter for families following the clashes earlier this week, the council said.

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coumarone resin council area

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