1 a group of people who are elected to govern an area such as a town or county 议会；地方议会: The city council has/have decided to build a new road. 市议会已决定建一条新路。a council house (= one that a council owns and lets to people who do not have much money) 市或郡建房（市或郡盖了租给穷人住的房子）My dad's on the local council. 我父亲是地方议会议员。

2 a group of people chosen to give advice, manage affairs, etc for a particular organization or activity 委员会；理事会: the Arts Council 文艺委员会