local government

American  

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.

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local government British  

noun

1. government of the affairs of counties, towns, etc, by locally elected political bodies

2. the US equivalent of local authority

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Etymology

Origin of local government

First recorded in 1835–45

Example Sentences

It didn’t specifically cite health concerns as the reason for the denial, but rather, “the varied and numerous concerns raised by both the local government entities and public in the project area.”

From Salon • Apr. 27, 2026

The Department of Community Affairs, the state agency that oversaw all the local government growth planning and limited development, was just abolished outright.

From Slate • Apr. 20, 2026

But in some local government and urban planning circles, the windowless establishments are seen as hogging land and creating dead zones where there ought be street life.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

Geerten Boogaard, professor of local government at Leiden University, says Moerdijk highlights the way political power is distributed in the Dutch system.

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2026

Doha thought he was someone who worked in the local government office.

From "Finding Junie Kim" by Ellen Oh

Related Words

• municipality