# municipality

/ˌmjunɪsəˈpæɫəti/ (US) · /mjuːnˈɪsɪpˈælɪti/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/municipality
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. a local district

noun · CEFR B2 · Formal

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

For teachers: 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.

### 2. the local government

noun · CEFR B2 · Formal

the group of people who run a city or town.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The municipality provides water and trash services to all residents.
- After the heavy snowfall, the municipality sent out trucks to clear the main roads and salt the sidewalks.
- The merger of several smaller villages into a single municipality allowed for more efficient allocation of resources and a unified approach to regional urban planning.

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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.