/ ˈkaʊnsl; NAmE / noun [ C +sing./pl. v . ]
1.
a group of people who are elected to govern an area such as a city or county :
a city / county / borough / district council
She's on the local council.
a council member / meeting
2.
( BrE ) the organization that provides services in a city or county, for example education, houses, libraries, etc. :
council workers / services
3.
a group of people chosen to give advice, make rules, do research, provide money, etc. :
the Medical Research Council
In Britain, the Arts Council gives grants to theatres.
4.
( formal ) (especially in the past) a formal meeting to discuss what action to take in a particular situation :
The King held a council at Nottingham from 14 to 19 October 1330.
—see also Privy Council
For more information see the Cultural Guide
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WORD ORIGIN
Old English (in the sense ecclesiastical assembly ): from Anglo-Norman French cuncile , from Latin concilium convocation, assembly, from con- together + calare summon. Compare with counsel .