council

[koun-suhl]

noun

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

2. 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.

4. an ecclesiastical assembly for deciding matters of doctrine or discipline.

5. New Testament.,  the Sanhedrin or other authoritative body.

council

/ ˈkaʊnsəl /

noun

1. an assembly of people meeting for discussion, consultation, etc

   an emergency council

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

   a student council

3. (sometimes capital) the local governing authority of a town, county, etc

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

   a council house

   a council estate

7. 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

Confusables Note

See counsel

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.

Other Word Forms

• subcouncil noun

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- + -cil(āre), combining form of calāre “to summon, convoke” + -ium -ium; Middle English -s- by association with Anglo-French cunseil counsel

Word History and Origins

Origin of council¹

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

Example Sentences

Reform also said it would abolish business rates, which are charged on most non-residential premises by councils.

From BBC

This covered her personal position in relation to council tax, stamp duty land tax, capital gains tax and inheritance tax.

From BBC

After Labour lost control of eight English councils and lost the seat of Hartlepool in a parliamentary by-election in May 2021, the deputy leader was removed from her post as party chairwoman.

From BBC

RCT council said it was "reviewing the effects" of the revised system, and it will take "necessary practical steps" where required.

From BBC

Under the order, someone could be fined for failing to refrain from using foul or abuse language if requested to by police or a council officer.

From BBC