local government

noun

1. the administration of the civic affairs of a city, town, or district by its inhabitants rather than by the state or country at large.
2. the governing body of a town or district.

local government

noun

1. government of the affairs of counties, towns, etc, by locally elected political bodies
2. the US equivalent of local authority

Word History and Origins

Origin of local government¹

First recorded in 1835–45

Example Sentences

The US pandemic response, including its vaccine rollout, has largely fallen under the purview of state and local governments, which determine everything from mask mandates to vaccination guidelines.

From Vox

To help assuage the concerns of local governments, Hogan said the state will offer a four-week guarantee of doses so public clinics can plan accordingly.

From Washington Post

In his letter, Schrader said the state notifies local governments of their allotments on a weekly basis when the state learns the information from the federal government.

From Washington Post

The committee’s portion also includes $350 billion for state and local governments and $117 million for oversight of that spending.

From Washington Post

Generous police benefits can surprise even those who have worked in local government for decades.

From ProPublica

The local government, despite all the invective directed at its leadership, seems to be functioning normally for the moment.

From The Daily Beast

Lo thinks the local government should designate one or two protest sites and leave the demonstrators alone.

From The Daily Beast

Although I hated the menial tasks the job required, it gave me a window into the power of local government.

From The Daily Beast

The local government was strongly supportive of the fugitive president and vocal in its criticism of the Maidan.

From The Daily Beast

Rosemount relies on federal grants, local government, private foundations and individuals to support its $4 million annual budget.

From The Daily Beast

Each of these districts was asked to elect two Burgesses as representatives in their local government.

From Project Gutenberg

It is an old native element recast in Roman form, and well illustrates the Roman principle of local government by devolution.

From Project Gutenberg

This large subvention has important effects on Local Government which have never before been critically examined.

From Project Gutenberg

The spirit of the local Government and of the clergy that controlled it was intolerance.

From Project Gutenberg

The large townships became too large for the demands of local government and were divided.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• municipality