council Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a body serving in an administrative capacity
    • student council
  2. noun (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. noun a meeting of people for consultation
    • emergency council

WordNet

Coun"cil noun
Etymology
F. concile, fr. L. concilium; con- + calare to call, akin to Gr. to call, and E. hale, v., haul. Cf. Conciliate. This word is often confounded with counsel, with which it has no connection.
Definitions
  1. An assembly of men summoned or convened for consultation, deliberation, or advice; as, a council of physicians for consultation in a critical case.
  2. A body of man elected or appointed to constitute an advisory or a legislative assembly; as, a governor's council; a city council.
    An old lord of the council rated me the other day. Shak.
  3. Act of deliberating; deliberation; consultation.
    Satan . . . void of rest, His potentates to council called by night. Milton.
    O great in action and in council wise. Pope.
    Syn. -- Assembly; meeting; congress; diet; parliament; convention; convocation; synod.

Webster 1913