privy council
noun
a board or select body of personal advisers, as of a sovereign.
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privy council
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Privy Council
Privy Councilnounthe private council of the British sovereign, consisting of all current and former ministers of the Crown and other distinguished subjects, all of whom are appointed for life See also Judicial Committee of the Privy Council
privy council
Americannoun
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a board or select body of personal advisers, as of a sovereign.
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(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.
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(sometimes initial capital letters) any similar body, as one appointed to assist the governor of a British dominion.
privy council
1
British
noun
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the council of state of a monarch or noble, esp formerly
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(in Canada) a ceremonial body of advisers of the governor general, the chief of them being the Federal cabinet ministers
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archaic a private or secret council
Privy Council
2
British
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of privy council
1250–1300; Middle English prive counseil privy counsel
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.
See Examples For:
"I have this afternoon issued a letter signed by Jeffrey Donaldson to the Privy Council office tendering his resignation from the privy council with immediate effect," the statement continued.
From BBC ● Jun. 24, 2026
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
Such a move would have to be approved by the privy council.
From The Guardian ● Aug. 28, 2019
The captain was generally chosen for being "pistol proof," and in some cases had as privy council a certain number of the elder sailors, who were called "lords."
From The Monarchs of the Main, Volume III (of 3) Or, Adventures of the Buccaneers by Walter Thornbury
When the university authorities threatened to withhold Marlowe’s degree following prolonged absences from Cambridge, the Privy Council intervened to reassure them that he had “done her Majesty good service.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 28, 2026
Meanwhile, Britain's Privy Council -- the final court of appeal for UK overseas territories -- will next year hear a petition for slavery reparations filed by Jamaica.
From Barron's ● Oct. 25, 2026
The first minister is able to advise the Privy Council - an advisory board to the monarch - on proclamations for Scotland, which are formally signed off by the King.
From BBC ● Jan. 5, 2026
He is a member of the Privy Council.
From BBC ● Dec. 20, 2024
Parkinson was hauled before the Privy Council for questioning and came within an ace of being dispatched in irons to Australia before the charges against him were quietly dropped.
From "A Short History of Nearly Everything" by Bill Bryson
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