a board or select body of personal advisers, as of a sovereign.
(initial capital letters) (in Great Britain) a body of persons who advise the sovereign in matters of state, the majority of members being selected by the prime minister.
(sometimes initial capital letters) any similar body, as one appointed to assist the governor of a British dominion.
the council of state of a monarch or noble, esp formerly
(in Canada) a ceremonial body of advisers of the governor general, the chief of them being the Federal cabinet ministers
archaic a private or secret council
1250–1300; Middle English prive counseil privy counsel
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The privy council announced on Friday that King Charles III had granted permission for the burial.
From BBC • Dec. 30, 2023
In January, Franklin was summoned to appear before the privy council, the king’s most senior advisers.
From Washington Post • Apr. 15, 2023
Although he was a Protestant, he was a supporter of the Scotland's Catholic regent, and in 1561 he was appointed to the privy council by the newly widowed Mary on her return to Scotland.
From Salon • Jul. 25, 2022
Senior sources said a privy council of senior ministers was preparing to meet the Queen at Balmoral this week, perhaps as soon as Wednesday to set this in motion.
From The Guardian • Aug. 28, 2019
A little later he was sent by Philip IV. of Spain, who had appointed Rubens secretary to his privy council, on a mission to England.
From Famous European Artists by Bolton, Sarah K.
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.
