council
Pluralcouncils
Often confused with counsel
- 1A body of people who lead or govern an organization, city, school, or similar group.
The council approved funding for the new library after a long debate.
After a heated meeting, the club's council voted to raise membership fees for the first time in a decade.
UsageUsually after the place or group: city council, student council. A member is a councilor; a counselor is an adviser.
- 2The elected local authority responsible for public services such as housing, roads, and waste collection in a given area.
Westminster Council approved the new housing development near the river.
Local councils across the region warned of cuts to public services.
UsageUsually the council (complain to the council). Often before another noun: council housing, council tax.
Similarauthority, municipality
Note
Here the name of the elected body stretches to cover the whole institution it runs, including its offices, staff and services. In Britain, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand this is the everyday meaning: the council collects the rubbish or repairs the road. Margery Allingham's 'enormous new block of council dwellings' (1962) means housing provided by the local authority.
- 3A body of people whose job is to advise on, supervise, or pay for work in a particular area, not to govern.
The research council awarded her lab a three-year grant to study drought-resistant crops.
An independent council of scientists oversees safety standards at the country's nuclear plants.
UsageThe field usually comes first: arts council, research council. Do not confuse it with counsel, which means advice.
Similarpanel, commission, committee
- 4Short for church council.
The council declared the new doctrine contrary to scripture.
Every bishop who attended the council signed its final decree.
Note
In church history, the word is capitalized when it names a particular assembly, often with an ordinal and a place, as in the First Council of Nicaea. Such a gathering brings bishops and church representatives together to settle points of doctrine or discipline. Synod covers much the same ground, and the short form council is natural once the church context is clear.
Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 3 facts
- There was a church assembly called the First Council of Nicaea. en.wikipedia.org
- Church councils bring together bishops and other church representatives. en.wikipedia.org
- Church councils address doctrine and discipline. vatican.va
Less common meaning
- 5Discussion of a matter, or careful deliberation about what to do.
The chiefs gathered in solemn council to weigh the terms of peace.
The general called his officers to council the night before the attack.
UsageUsed without a or the, in set phrases: in council, to council, hold council. It sounds solemn, not for an everyday chat.
Similarconference, deliberation, consultation, discussion
Note
Milton's Satan calls his potentates 'to council' by night, and Pope's Homer praises a hero as 'great in action and in council wise.' The phrasing belongs to the elevated style of epic.
Practice
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Origin
The word comes from Middle English counseil, which came through Anglo-Norman cuncile and Old French concile from Latin concilium. It is a doublet of concelho.
Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 2 facts
- Council derives from Middle English counseil through Anglo-Norman cuncile and Old French concile from Latin concilium. dictionary.obspm.fr
- Council and concelho are doublets. en.wiktionary.org