Definition

Noun: A council table is the specific table around which members of a council, committee, or other formal meeting group sit to conduct their discussions and business.

Usage

The term is used to refer to the physical piece of furniture that is central to a formal meeting setting. It emphasizes the table's function as the focal point for deliberation and decision-making by an official body. - The important documents were placed in the center of the council table before the session began. - The mayor addressed the committee members seated around the council table.

Advanced Usage

• "To sit at the council table": To be a member of the deliberating body, implying participation in official decisions.
  • After years of service, she finally earned the right to sit at the council table.

Variants and Related Words

• Conference table: A more general term for a large table designed for meetings. While similar, a "conference table" may be used in less formal or corporate settings, whereas "council table" often implies a governmental or official body.
• Boardroom table: A table in a boardroom, typically used by a company's directors.

Synonyms

• Conference table
• Meeting table
• Board table

Related Idioms

• "Around the council table": Describes the setting or location where formal discussions and debates take place among members.
  • The agreement was reached after many hours of debate around the council table.

Noun

1. the table that conferees sit around as they hold a meeting