municipality

noun

mu·​nic·​i·​pal·​i·​ty myu̇-ˌni-sə-ˈpa-lə-tē How to pronounce municipality (audio)
plural municipalities
Synonyms of municipalitynext
1
: a primarily urban political unit (such as a city or town) having corporate (see corporate sense 1a) status and usually powers of self-government
Elections were held in the municipality.
2
: the governing body of a municipality
The municipality approved the budget for the year.

Synonyms of municipality

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Examples of municipality in a Sentence

laws that have been enacted by many states and municipalities a municipality with an excellent police department
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Most municipalities permit hens but restrict roosters and impose flock caps. — Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 30 June 2026 Across the suburbs, municipalities opened their libraries, police and fire departments and village and city halls as cooling centers. — Evgenia Anastasakos, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2026 This landmark measure compels our counties and municipalities to remain politically responsive to the people who live there. — Anthony G. Brown, Baltimore Sun, 26 June 2026 These fireworks can only be used by professionals with a permit obtained from the municipality where they'll be set off, according to Pennsylvania State Police. — Finch Walker, USA Today, 27 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for municipality

Word History

First Known Use

1790, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of municipality was in 1790

Rhymes for municipality

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Browse Nearby Words

municipal engineering
municipality
municipalization
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Cite this Entry

“Municipality.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/municipality. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

municipality

noun
mu·​nic·​i·​pal·​i·​ty myu̇-ˌnis-ə-ˈpal-ət-ē How to pronounce municipality (audio)
plural municipalities
: a self-governing city or town

Legal Definition

municipality

noun
mu·​nic·​i·​pal·​i·​ty myu̇-ˌni-sə-ˈpa-lə-tē How to pronounce municipality (audio)
plural municipalities
: a primarily urban municipal corporation
also : the governing body of a municipality

More from Merriam-Webster on municipality

Nglish: Translation of municipality for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about municipality

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