adj
Common
municipal
myoo-NIH-sih-puhl
Municipal (adj) means belonging to or run by a city or town's local government. Example: “The municipal library is open until 8pm on weekdays.”
adj
1
Belonging to or run by a city or town's local government.
"The municipal library is open until 8pm on weekdays."
"Residents complained to the municipal council about the potholes."
"The municipal swimming pool was repaired using money from the town's budget."
noun
1
A bond issued by a city, town, or other local government to raise money (short for "municipal bond").
"She put some of her savings into tax-free municipals."
"Many cautious investors prefer municipals because they are seen as a steady choice."
"He asked his adviser whether buying municipals would suit someone saving for retirement."
How to use municipal
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAnything to do with local (city or town) government rather than national government.
Common pairings
municipal government
municipal bond
municipal services
municipal election
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Word forms
- Plural
- municipals
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The _____ library is open until 8pm on weekdays.
Etymology
From French municipal, from Latin municipalis, ultimately from mūnus ("duty") plus capiō ("to take") — the same idea behind a citizen taking on civic duties.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for municipal
See all rhymes for municipal →Frequently asked questions
What does “municipal” mean?
The word “municipal” means belonging to or run by a city or town's local government. In plain terms, anything to do with local (city or town) government rather than national government.
How do you pronounce “municipal”?
“Municipal” is pronounced myoo-NIH-sih-puhl (/mjuˈnɪsɪpəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “municipal” in a sentence?
Here is “municipal” used in a sentence: “The municipal library is open until 8pm on weekdays.”
What is another word for “municipal”?
Words with a similar meaning to “municipal” include civic.
What part of speech is “municipal”?
Depending on how it is used, “municipal” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “municipal” come from?
The word “municipal” comes from Latin. From French municipal, from Latin municipalis, ultimately from mūnus ("duty") plus capiō ("to take") — the same idea behind a citizen taking on civic duties.
Is “municipal” a common word?
“Municipal” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “municipal” have?
“Municipal” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: belonging to or run by a city or town's local government.
What is the difference between "municipal" and "civic"?
Municipal specifically relates to a city or town's local government and the services it runs, while civic relates more broadly to a city, its citizens, or their duties. Municipal is administrative, whereas civic often concerns community responsibility, as in "civic pride."
What is the difference between "municipal" and "federal"?
Municipal refers to a city or town's local government, while federal refers to the national government. Municipal matters are handled at the local level, whereas federal matters apply across the whole country.
What words commonly follow "municipal"?
Municipal frequently pairs with nouns such as government, council, services, court, building, and elections. In each case it signals that the thing belongs to or is run by a city or town's local government.
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