DictionaryAI

council

noun
KOWN-suhl/ˈkaʊn.səl/

Pluralcouncils

Often confused with counsel

5 meanings of council

Practice

  1. 1
    governing groupnouncountable
    A group of people chosen to make decisions and run a town, school, or other group.

    Like a team of captains who decide what the whole group will do.

    The city council voted to build a new park.

    She was elected to the student council last year.

    UsageSay city council or student council. A person on it is a councilor.

    Similarboard, assembly

  2. 2
    local governmentnounmetonymicallyUKIrelandAustraliaNew Zealandcountable
    The local government body that runs public services for a town or area.

    Like the office in charge of keeping your town running day to day.

    The council collects the bins every Thursday on our street.

    She complained to the council about the broken streetlight.

    UsageUsually said as the council: call the council about a broken light. Also council housing.

    Similarauthority, municipality

    Note
  3. 3
    advisory bodynouncountable
    A group chosen to give advice on, check, or pay for work in one area, not to rule.

    The arts council gave our little theater money for a new show.

    A council of doctors tells the government what it thinks about new medicines.

    UsageSay arts council or research council. Counsel, with an s, means advice.

    Similarpanel, commission, committee

  4. 4
    church meetingnounabbreviation
    Short for church council. Use it to mean a formal meeting of church leaders.

    The council condemned the teaching as heresy and affirmed the creed.

    Bishops from across the empire gathered at the council to settle the dispute.

    Note

Less common meaning

  1. 5
    discussionnoununcountable
    The act of talking something over carefully before making a choice.

    The two families held council in the kitchen and agreed to sell the old farm.

    Brave in battle and wise in council, she was loved by all her people.

    UsageNo a or the: in council, hold council. It sounds very serious and old.

    Similarconference, deliberation, consultation, discussion

    Note

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of council apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

It came into English from Latin concilium, through Old French and Anglo-Norman forms.

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 1 fact

  • English council derives from Latin concilium through Old French and Anglo-Norman forms. dictionary.obspm.fr