city hall

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.

city hall

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of city hall¹

An Americanism dating back to 1665–75

Example Sentences

Javier Jordá, the head of commerce in the city hall, said the crackdown was about "ensuring that minors or vulnerable communities are not exposed to offensive messages in public spaces".

From BBC

In Iowa, parents, students, and community members have staged demonstrations outside district offices and city hall, calling for Roberts’s release and accusing ICE of overreach.

From Salon

We must answer it — not in whispers, but in a voice rising from fields and factories, car washes and classrooms, border towns and city halls.

From Los Angeles Times

The clock tower on the roof of the old city hall was also moved and can now be found next to the new city hall.

From BBC

The local city hall was also built in this style, as was the high school, Rech said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• town hall