Word
municipality
Phoneticsmu·nic·i·pal·i·ty, stress on the fourth syllable
US/ˌmjunɪsəˈpæɫəti/
UK/mjuːnˈɪsɪpˈælɪti/
Definitions
01a local district
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Law Formal
n. a city, town, or village that has its own local government.
n. an urban or rural administrative division having corporate status and powers of self-government.
“The municipality is responsible for keeping the local parks clean and safe.”
“The newly formed municipality encompasses several small villages that previously operated under independent administrative councils.”
Usage
Often used in legal or official contexts rather than casual conversation.
02the local government
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Law Formal
n. the group of people who run a city or town.
n. the governing body of a local administrative district.
“You need to apply to the municipality for a permit to build a fence.”
“The municipality voted to increase funding for public transportation following a series of community consultations.”
Usage
Can be used as a collective noun referring to the officials or the institution itself.
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“In fact, August 15th is considered to be the day with the most local festivals ( fiestas patronales ) in Spain, with 1,196 municipalities holding their own celebrations.” “At the time, a Flock executive said that the company’s mission was to “eliminate crime” and that crime was defined by the state or municipality a camera operates in.” Etymology
Borrowed from French municipalité (Edmund Burke), from municipal + -ité, from Latin municipalis, from municipium (“free city, township”), from municeps (“citizen of a free city or township”), from mūnus (“duty, service”) + -ceps (“taker, catcher”). Equivalent to municipal + -ity.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Related words
Domain
- 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
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/municipality