# municipal

/mjuˈnɪsəpəɫ/ (US) · /mjuːnˈɪsɪpəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/municipal
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 2. public services

adjective · CEFR B2

provided by a city or town for the people who live there.

For teachers: relating to the services or infrastructure provided by a local government, such as waste management or water supply.

- The city built a new municipal swimming pool that is free for all residents.
- Efficient municipal waste management is a cornerstone of urban sustainability in rapidly growing metropolitan areas.

### 3. finance/bonds

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a type of investment where you lend money to a city government.

For teachers: a debt security or bond issued by a city, county, or state to finance public projects. Often shortened to 'muni' in informal financial contexts.

- Many people invest in municipals because the interest is often tax-free.
- The city issued a series of municipals to fund the construction of the new light rail system.

Teaching tip: In professional financial circles, the plural 'municipals' or the clipping 'munis' is more common than the singular form.

## Examples

- The municipal library is open to all residents.
- The city council approved a new municipal tax to fund the renovation of public parks and community centers.
- Urban planners must balance municipal growth with environmental preservation to ensure that the city remains habitable for future generations of residents.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.