Definition

1. Noun:
   • A formal meeting of people for discussion or consultation: A "council" is a group of people convened to discuss, advise on, or decide matters.
   • A body of people elected or appointed to serve in an administrative, legislative, or advisory capacity: A "council" is an organized group with official responsibilities, often governing a town, organization, or specific area of activity.
   • (In Christianity) An assembly of theologians, bishops, and other representatives convened to regulate matters of church discipline or doctrine.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The mayor called an emergency council to discuss the flood response.
  • She was elected to serve on the student council.
  • The town council approved the new park proposal.

Advanced Usage

• "To be in council": To be in a formal meeting for discussion.
  • The ministers are in council and cannot be disturbed.
• "Council of war": A meeting to plan strategy, especially in a military or difficult situation.
  • The team leaders held a council of war to address the project's critical failures.

Variants and Related Words

• Councillor (noun): A member of a council.
  • The local councillor listened to the residents' concerns.
• Councillorship (noun): The office or term of a councillor.
• Councilman / Councilwoman (noun): A member of a council, especially of a city council.
  • The councilwoman proposed a new recycling initiative.

Synonyms

• Committee: A group of people appointed for a specific function.
• Board: A group of people having managerial or advisory responsibilities.
• Assembly: A group of people gathered together for a common purpose.

Related Phrases

• Privy Council: A body of advisers to a head of state, especially in historical UK context.
  • The matter was referred to the Privy Council.
• Security Council: Specifically, the United Nations Security Council.
  • The issue was debated in the Security Council.

Related Idioms

• A council of despair: A meeting or decision made from a position of hopelessness.
  • Cutting all funding was a council of despair, not a real solution.

Noun

1. a meeting of people for consultation
   • emergency council
2. (Christianity) an assembly of theologians and bishops and other representatives of different churches or dioceses that is convened to regulate matters of discipline or doctrine
3. a body serving in an administrative capacity
   • student council