municipal

[myoo-nis-uh-puhl]

adjective

1. of or relating to a town or city or its local government.

   municipal elections.

2. Archaic.,  pertaining to the internal affairs of a state or nation rather than to international affairs.

noun

1. a municipal bond.

municipal

/ mjuːˈnɪsɪpəl /

adjective

1. of or relating to a town, city, or borough or its local government

Other Word Forms

• municipally adverb
• intermunicipal adjective
• nonmunicipal adjective
• nonmunicipally adverb
• premunicipal adjective
• quasi-municipal adjective
• quasi-municipally adverb
• supermunicipal adjective
• municipalism noun
• municipalist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of municipal¹

First recorded in 1530–40; from Latin mūnicipālis, from mūnicip-, stem of mūniceps “citizen of a free town” (from mūni(a) “duties” + -ceps, combining form of capere “to take”; prince ) + -ālis -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of municipal¹

C16: from Latin mūnicipium a free town, from mūniceps citizen from mūnia responsibilities + capere to take

Example Sentences

Because of its relatively shallow depth of 6.2 miles, the quake’s tremors set off multiple landslides, ripped open road surfaces and caused heavy damage to century-old churches and municipal and commercial buildings.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

First responders and municipal officials in Gaza reported explosions Saturday.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Many municipal leaders—mayors and governors—talk about the challenging cost of immigrants to their communities.

Read more on Barron's

In the Marseille episode, you uncover part of your father’s story, discovering details of his trip to America in the municipal archives.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

There are important municipal elections in March, and then the presidential elections in May 2027.

Read more on BBC