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 covers up to four million people across seven local government areas in the state, including for government disaster relief as well as direct cash transfers to affected communities.

From Barron's • Mar. 26, 2026

The government initially allowed 30 councils to postpone their elections, in order to deliver a major reorganisation of local government.

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026

That same evening there was an attack in the Damboa local government area, south of Maiduguri.

From Barron's • Mar. 16, 2026

In addition, he credited the influx of billions of dollars in federal pandemic aid that restored more than one million local government jobs.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 14, 2026

The meeting between the highest local government official and militant black leaders was itself an important concession, an act of good faith on Grabarek’s part that surprised the black community.

From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson

Related Words

• municipality