What does "municipality" mean?

1. (a local district) a city, town, or village that has its own local government. 2. (the local government) the group of people who run a city or town.

How do you use "municipality"?

Often used in legal or official contexts rather than casual conversation. Can be used as a collective noun referring to the officials or the institution itself.

municipality

US //ˌmjunɪsəˈpæɫəti// UK //mjuːnˈɪsɪpˈælɪti// mu·nic·i·pal·i·ty

1 a local district (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Formal Law

a city, town, or village that has its own local government.

an urban or rural administrative division having corporate status and powers of self-government.

Example

The municipality is responsible for keeping the local parks clean and safe.

Example

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.
2 the local government (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Formal Law

the group of people who run a city or town.

the governing body of a local administrative district.

Example

You need to apply to the municipality for a permit to build a fence.

Example

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.
- council
- local authority
- administration

Origin

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.