coun ‧ cil S2 W2 /ˈkaʊns ə l/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[ Date: 1100-1200 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: concile , from Latin concilium , from com- ( ⇨ COM- ) + calare 'to call' ]
1 . a group of people that are chosen to make rules, laws, or decisions, or to give advice:
the council for civil liberties
the UN Security Council
2 . the organization that is responsible for local government in a particular area in Britain:
local council elections
He sent a letter to the council to complain about the noise.
County/District/City etc Council
Northampton Borough Council
council leader/officer/worker etc
council chamber/offices
3 . a group of people elected to the government of a city in the US:
the Los Angeles city council
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + council
▪ an advisory council (=for giving advice)
The report was issued by the Advisory Council on Science and Technology.
▪ a research council
the Medical Research Council
▪ a funding council (=for giving money to projects, organizations etc)
a further education funding council
▪ the arts/sports council
The exhibition has been funded by the Arts Council.
▪ the UN Security Council (=for protecting a country or group of countries)
the Security Council's peace plan
■ verbs
▪ establish/form/set up a council
A National Radio and Television Council was established to regulate the market.
▪ head a council
Brzezinski headed the National Security Council at that time.
▪ a council awards something (=gives someone something, especially money)
The Scottish Arts Council has awarded grants totalling over £30,000.
■ council + NOUN
▪ a council meeting
She had to attend a council meeting.
▪ a council member
School council members are elected by their fellow students.
▪ a council resolution (=decision)
Council resolutions need a two thirds majority.
▪ a council grant (=amount of money that a council gives to a person, organization, project etc)
The community centre has had its council grant cut by 50%.