council

noun

ˈkau̇n(t)-səl How to pronounce council (audio)
Definition of councilnext
1
as in meeting
a coming together of a number of persons for a specified purpose a war council attended by the top commanders of each of the armed services

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2
as in organization
a group of persons formally joined together for some common interest the neighborhood council decided to campaign for a new park

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3
as in symposium
a meeting featuring a group discussion summoned to a council to discuss ways that the state could improve medical care for the elderly

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4
as in affiliate
a local unit of an organization the scout's own council chose to ignore the national organization's discriminatory policies

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5
as in consultation
an exchange of views for the purpose of exploring a subject or deciding an issue an unscheduled council in the judge's chambers

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of council The council unanimously approved Opus’ withdrawal of its application. — Mars King, Twin Cities, 4 July 2026 The city clerk is responsible for maintaining government records while assisting the mayor and City Council with administrative duties inside and outside council meetings. — Zaire Breedlove, Charlotte Observer, 3 July 2026 Now back in King’s Landing, Corlys is distracted at best, meeting with Rhaenyra’s small council to address the crown’s nonexistent funds — the latest on a long list of problems that need solving for the new Queen of the Seven Kingdoms. — Zoe Papelis, Vulture, 6 July 2026 The Balboa Peninsula, which Stapleton represents on the council, has historically been an infamous hot spot for public drinking, disruptive parties and brawls throughout the summer and especially during the Fourth of July. — Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for council
Recent Examples of Synonyms for council
  1. meeting
  2. organization
  3. symposium
  4. affiliate
  5. consultation
  6. gathering
  7. institute
  8. seminar
Noun
  • An explosion went off near the Four Seasons Hotel in Damascus on Tuesday, where French President Emmanuel Macron had spent the night ahead of a meeting with his Syrian counterpart, according to French and Syrian media.
    — Sana Noor Haq, CNN Money, 7 July 2026
  • The build-up to this meeting has been tense, with defense spending remaining a contentious topic.
    — Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 7 July 2026
Definition of meeting
Noun
  • The organization warned that as search-and-rescue teams begin to scale back operations, humanitarian needs—particularly food, medical care and protection services—could intensify rather than diminish.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 July 2026
  • The Ultimate Fighting Championship is the world’s largest professional MMA organization.
    — Natasha Holt, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
Definition of organization
Noun
  • Among the attractions are a Maid Cafe inspired by Tokyo’s Akihabara district, the Anime Expo Fashion Show, J-Pop performances, academic symposiums, gaming panels and previews of upcoming anime series and films.
    — City News Service, Daily News, 2 July 2026
  • The Redken Symposium format has evolved over the years—some symposiums have offered more a la carte classes, while this year the focus has been on mainstage sessions.
    — Celia Shatzman, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
Definition of symposium
Noun
  • Offers in this section are from affiliate partners and selected based on a combination of engagement, product relevance, compensation, and consistent availability.
    — Dan Avery, CNBC, 6 July 2026
  • Crawford is hoping to work his way up to an affiliate, but finishing this season healthy would be a massive victory in and of itself.
    — Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 6 July 2026
Definition of affiliate
Noun
  • The agency made the changes without the customary professional consultations, KFF has reported.
    — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
  • His expensive and ambitious campaign has been conducted with little congressional consultation or oversight, shaped entirely by one man.
    — Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 3 July 2026
Definition of consultation
Noun
  • Political conventions are typically massive gatherings reserved for presidential election years, where parties formally nominate their candidates for the general election.
    — Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 1 July 2026
  • See how designer Hattie Sparks Collins gave her in-laws' new build to a sunny dose of gathering-place nostalgia.
    — Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 30 June 2026
Definition of gathering
Noun
  • The institute found that if current enrollment and completion rates continue, most California 9th graders will not earn a bachelor’s degree.
    — Molly Gibbs, Mercury News, 3 July 2026
  • More than 20 sites across Kyiv were hit, including residential apartment blocks, a hotel, a research institute and an ambulance station.
    — Joanna Kakissis, NPR, 2 July 2026
Definition of institute
Noun
  • The methods used to measure whether vaccines work, and the way they were discussed during the recent seminar, are not a side issue.
    — Ben Lopman, STAT, 2 July 2026
  • The atmosphere was not much better in my upper-level seminars.
    — Ann Manov, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026
Definition of seminar

Browse Nearby Words

couloirs
council
councils
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Cite this Entry

“Council.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/council. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on council

Nglish: Translation of council for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about council

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