city hall

American  

noun

(often initial capital letters)

1. the administration building of a city government.

2. a city administration or government.

3. Informal. a bureaucracy or bureaucratic rules and regulations, especially that of a city government.

   You can't fight city hall.

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city hall British  

noun

1. the building housing the administrative offices of a city or municipal government

2. 1. municipal government

   2. the officials of a municipality collectively

3. informal bureaucracy

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Etymology

Origin of city hall

An Americanism dating back to 1665–75

Example Sentences

But legal scholars and redistricting experts say the ruling could also have consequences in California’s city hall, school board and county supervisor races.

From Los Angeles Times • May 7, 2026

To get one more shot to fight city hall, and win.

From Slate • Mar. 25, 2026

His longshot bid for city hall comes on the anniversary of a wildfire that destroyed his home and became one of California's most destructive blazes on record.

From BBC • Jan. 7, 2026

Located across from the capital’s city hall, the store traces its history back to the 1850s.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 3, 2025

I said yes to Barack, and shortly after that I said yes to Valerie Jarrett, accepting her offer to come work at city hall.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama

Related Words

• town hall