Word
council
Phoneticscoun·cil, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈkaʊnsəɫ/
UK/kˈaʊnsəl/
Definitions
01local government
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. a group of people elected to manage a town, city, or local area.
n. an administrative body elected to govern a local municipality or district.
“The city council voted to build a new park in the center of town.”
“The local council is currently reviewing planning applications for the proposed shopping center to ensure they meet environmental standards.”
Pitfall
I need some legal council.
I need some legal counsel.
A 'council' is a group of people. 'Counsel' refers to advice or a lawyer.
Synonyms
02representative committee
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. a group of people chosen to represent others and make decisions for an organization.
n. a body of people elected or appointed to serve an advisory, legislative, or administrative function within a larger organization.
“She was elected to the student council to represent her classmates.”
“The medical council met to discuss updates to the professional code of conduct for surgeons across the country.”
03religious assembly
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Religion Formal
n. a formal meeting of church leaders to decide on religious rules.
n. an assembly of ecclesiastical leaders convoked to settle matters of doctrine or administration.
日本語:会議※
“The historic council changed several important traditions within the church.”
“The Second Vatican Council introduced significant reforms intended to modernize the relationship between the Church and the contemporary world.”
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “council” in context.
Verb
01. elect a council
“The residents will elect a council to manage the community center next month.”
verb + noun
02. petition the council
“Local business owners decided to petition the council for better street lighting.”
verb + noun
03. serve on the council
“She has served on the council for over ten years, representing the local arts community.”
verb + prep + noun
Adjective
04. local council
“The local council is responsible for waste management and road repairs.”
adj + noun
05. unanimous council
“The proposal passed following a unanimous council vote during the Friday session.”
adj + noun
Noun
06. council house
“They lived in a council house on the edge of the city for most of their childhood.”
noun + noun
07. council meeting
“The public is invited to attend the next council meeting to voice their concerns.”
noun + noun
08. member of the council
“As a member of the council, he was expected to attend every weekly briefing.”
noun + of + noun
Real-World Examples
“So in 2021 I started my campaign to put power back where it belongs: in the hands of councils and local communities.” “The researchers told the Emergency Medicine Journal that schools, local councils, youth groups and road safety campaigns all have a role to play.” Etymology
From Middle English counseil, conseil, from late Old English cuncile, from Anglo-Norman cuncile and Old French concile, from Latin concilium. Doublet of concelho.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/council
※ 機械で選んだ訳語です。ネイティブスピーカーによる確認はまだです。
「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0