From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishcouncilcoun‧cil /ˈkaʊnsəl/ ●●○ S3 W3 noun [countable] 1 SSOORGANIZATIONa group of people that are chosen to make rules, laws, or decisions, or to give advice the council for civil liberties the UN Security Council2 PGPORGANIZATIONthe organization that is responsible for local government in a particular area in Britain local council elections He sent a letter to the council to complain about the noise.County/District/City etc Council Northampton Borough Councilcouncil leader/officer/worker etccouncil chamber/offices3 PGPORGANIZATIONa group of people elected to the government of a city in the US the Los Angeles city councilCOLLOCATIONSADJECTIVES/NOUN + council an advisory council (=for giving advice)The report was issued by the Advisory Council on Science and Technology.a research councilthe Medical Research Councila funding council (=for giving money to projects, organizations etc)a further education funding councilthe arts/sports councilThe exhibition has been funded by the Arts Council.the UN Security Council (=for protecting a country or group of countries)the Security Council's peace planverbsestablish/form/set up a councilA National Radio and Television Council was established to regulate the market.head a councilBrzezinski headed the National Security Council at that time.a council awards something (=gives someone something, especially money)The Scottish Arts Council has awarded grants totalling over £30,000.council + NOUNa council meetingShe had to attend a council meeting.a council memberSchool council members are elected by their fellow students.a council resolution (=decision)Council resolutions need a two thirds majority.a council grant (=amount of money that a council gives to a person, organization, project etc)The community centre has had its council grant cut by 50%.
Examples from the Corpus
council• a council meeting• Stuart is on the Regional Arts Council.• Feltz is running for city council in the fall elections.• She's been elected onto the city council.• The plan for the new housing development is now being considered by Essex County Council.• The rankings guide Britain's four higher education funding councils in allocating resources.• Just last week pensioner Phillip Frampton died after a fire at his council flat in Swindon.• In addition to the palatial and leafy suburbs, there are areas of inner-city terraced housing awaiting redevelopment and large outlying council estates.• The club got a grant from the Sports Council to help pay for new changing rooms.• I kept on at the council, but it wasn't easy to get a council flat in those days.• The balance between additions and cuts will depend on the financial climate and the political complexion of the council.• A complaints system is being set up to make it easier for residents to complain about the service that the council offers.• One incumbent was returned to the council.• The council say that shutters are not the answer.council chamber/offices• No wonder Mosley was smiling as he stood in the cast council chamber.• This is because Mrs. Gilmour will be taking the petition along to the district council offices the following day.• She waited patiently in council chambers for about two hours for the issue to be taken up in executive session.• He had them erected in the grounds of his house - now council offices.• This reluctance to take office is recalled during the annual mayor-making in the council chamber of the town hall.• Tribal members said there was standing room only in the council chamber, which holds about 60 people.• Ambassador Richard Holbrooke into the council chamber.From Longman Business Dictionarycouncilcoun‧cil /ˈkaʊnsəl/ noun [countable]1a group of people that are chosen to make rules, laws, or decisions, or to give advicethe council for civil liberties2in Britain, the organization that is responsible for local government in a particular regionBob Jones has been on the Borough Council for years.3a group of people elected to the government of a city in the USthe Los Angeles city councilOrigin council (1100-1200) Old French concile, from Latin concilium, from com- ( → COM-) + calare “to call” 