council

[ koun-suh l ]

/ ˈkaʊn səl /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR council ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

an assembly of persons summoned or convened for consultation, deliberation, or advice.

a body of persons specially designated or selected to act in an advisory, administrative, or legislative capacity: the governor's council on housing.

(in certain British colonies or dependencies) an executive or legislative body assisting the governor.

an ecclesiastical assembly for deciding matters of doctrine or discipline.

New Testament. the Sanhedrin or other authoritative body.

Nearby words

coulter pine, coumadin, coumarin, coumarone, coumarone resin, council, council area, council bluffs, council fire, council for mutual economic assistance, council of economic advisers

Origin of council

1125–75; Middle English co(u)nsile < Anglo-French cuncil(e), Old French concile < Late Latin concilium synod, church council (Latin: assembly), probably equivalent to Latin con- con- + -cil(āre), combining form of calāre to summon, convoke + -ium -ium; Middle English -s- by association with Anglo-French cunseil counsel

Related forms

sub·coun·cil, noun

Can be confused

board committee council panel trustconsul council counsel (see usage note at the current entry)

Usage note

Council, counsel, and consul are not interchangeable. Council is a noun. Its most common sense is “an assembly of persons convened for deliberation or the like.” It is generally used with a singular verb. A member of such a group is a councilor. Counsel is both noun and verb. Its most common meaning as a noun is “advice given to another”: His counsel on domestic relations is sound. A person giving such advice is a counselor. In law, counsel means “legal adviser or advisers” and can be either singular or plural. As a verb, counsel means “to advise.” The noun consul refers to the representative of a government who guards the welfare of its citizens in a foreign country.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for council

In secret, before the referendum, the council went ahead and fluoridated the water anyway.
Anti-Fluoriders Are The OG Anti-Vaxxers|Michael Schulson|July 27, 2016|DAILY BEAST
A spokesman for Lewisham council said last year that it would be forced to act if the family returned to Britain.
Britain May Spy on Preschoolers Searching for Potential Jihadis|Nico Hines|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
It is certainly more stylish than a council flat in a small-town banlieue!
Hell Hath No Fury Like Valerie Trierweiler, the French President’s Ex|Lizzie Crocker|November 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In fact, a few years ago I was awarded the "Courage in Media" award from the Council on American Islamic Relations.
How Aasif Mandvi Became Jon Stewart’s Favorite Jihadi|Dean Obeidallah|November 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST

But he said, “The UN council does nothing for people living in Iran.”
The Real Reason Iran Killed This Woman for Defending Herself|Eli Lake|October 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He next dropped his name of Malagigi, because it had been given him by the devils in council, and called himself Onofrio.
Castellinaria|Henry Festing Jones
If the incensed father, who was a member of the Council, used the full severity of the law, he might fare even worse than ill.
In The Fire Of The Forge, Complete|Georg Ebers
King Philip agreed to meet this council in a new attempt to adjust all their difficulties.
King Philip|John S. C. (John Stevens Cabot) Abbott
The council sent the mother and son away with the assurance of immediate action.
Comrades|Thomas Dixon
The results shall be sent to this council, with an account of everything that is done, and his opinion of what is meet to be done.
The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898|E. H. Blair

British Dictionary definitions for council

council

/ (ˈkaʊnsəl) /

noun

an assembly of people meeting for discussion, consultation, etcan emergency council

a body of people elected or appointed to serve in an administrative, legislative, or advisory capacitya student council

the council (sometimes capital) British the local governing authority of a town, county, etc

a meeting or the deliberation of a council

(modifier) of, relating to, provided for, or used by a local councila council chamber; council offices

(modifier) British provided by a local council, esp (of housing) at a subsidized renta council house; a council estate

Australian an administrative or legislative assembly, esp the upper house of a state parliament in Australia

Christianity an assembly of bishops, theologians, and other representatives of several churches or dioceses, convened for regulating matters of doctrine or discipline

Word Origin for council

C12: from Old French concile, from Latin concilium assembly, from com- together + calāre to call; influenced also by Latin consilium advice, counsel

confusable

Avoid confusion with counsel

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012