council
gb/kˈaʊnsɪl/ us/kˈaʊnsɪl/
B1
English
~ 300
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
entity
1
A decision-making or advisory group
A group of people who meet to talk and decide about important things for a community or organization.
Usage pattern:
[a/an/the] council [verb]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'council' with 'counsel'; 'council' is a group, while 'counsel' means advice or a lawyer.
Synonyms
committee (Often used for smaller or more specific groups; council can be broader or more formal.)
|
board (Common in business contexts; less associated with government than council.)
Antonyms
individual (An individual acts alone, unlike a council which acts as a group.)
Collocations
city council
|local council
|council meeting
|council member
|council decision
Themes
government
|business
|community
|politics
|law
Examples
- The city council voted to approve the new park.
- She was elected to the local council last year.
- The council will meet again next Tuesday.
- The student council organized a charity event.
- Our housing council is discussing rent increases.
Learner examples
- The city council meets every month.
- I spoke to a member of the council.
- The council decided to build a new school.
- Our town has a small council.
- The council helps make rules for the area.
Noun
formal
B2
event
2
An official meeting of a council
A planned meeting where members of a council talk and decide things.
Usage pattern:
[a/an/the] council [is/was] held
Synonyms
assembly (Can refer to any gathering, not just councils; more general.)
Antonyms
adjournment (Refers to the ending or suspension of a meeting.)
Collocations
emergency council
|special council
|council session
Themes
government
|business
|politics
|law
Examples
- An emergency council was called to address the crisis.
- The UN Security Council met to discuss the conflict.
- The tribal leaders held a council to resolve the dispute.
Learner examples
- The council will be on Monday.
- They had a special council to talk about the problem.
- A big council was held in the hall.
Grammar
Dictionary form
council
IPA
GB/kˈaʊnsɪl/
US/kˈaʊnsɪl/
Syllables & stress
coun - cil (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (coun)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: council
- Plural: council, councils
Word family
Expressions
city council
1/sˈɪti kˈaʊnsɪl/
fixed phrase
The governing body of a city
A group of people who make decisions for a city.
Examples
- The city council approved new parking rules.
- She was elected to the city council last year.
council meeting
1/kˈaʊnsɪl mˈitɪŋ/
fixed phrase
Meeting of a council's members
A planned time when members of a council meet to talk and decide things.
Examples
- The next council meeting is on Thursday.
- Council meetings are open to the public.
local council
1/lˈoʊkəl kˈaʊnsɪl/
fixed phrase
Governing body for local area
A group that makes decisions for a town or small area.
Examples
- Our local council is responsible for waste collection.
- She complained to the local council about noise.
student council
1/stˈudənt kˈaʊnsɪl/
fixed phrase
Elected student representatives in school
A group of students chosen to speak and decide for all students in a school.
Examples
- The student council is planning the school dance.
- He ran for student council president.