local government
Americannoun
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the administration of the civic affairs of a city, town, or district by its inhabitants rather than by the state or country at large.
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the governing body of a town or district.
noun
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government of the affairs of counties, towns, etc, by locally elected political bodies
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the US equivalent of local authority
Etymology
Origin of local government
First recorded in 1835–45
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Several news outlets also had a video of a local government official telling them that the authorities were doing their utmost to secure the area so that they could go home to their farms.
From BBC • Jun. 7, 2026
While the mayor’s race is getting national attention, voters will also decide a pivotal race for Los Angeles City Council that could have profound influence on the direction of local government.
From Los Angeles Times • May 31, 2026
Central and local government officials have tried with limited success in recent years to incentivise marriage and childbirth, from launching dating apps to boosting child-rearing allowances and subsidising parental leave.
From Barron's • May 29, 2026
When businesses large and small boost local government tax receipts and buoy pension funds, political leaders take credit.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 27, 2026
The emissary and his entourage spent the night at the home of the local government official.
From "A Single Shard" by Linda Sue Park
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
