Municipal

Municipal

Adjective · /mjuːˈnɪs.ɪ.pəl/

Definition

Of or relating to a town or city or its governing body; administered by a local government; relating to the local government of a town or city.

Origin

From Latin municipalis (of a free town, of a municipality), from municipium (a free town, a self-governing community in the Roman Empire — a town whose citizens had Roman citizenship but which retained its own laws), from munus (duty, obligation, public service, gift) + capere (to take). A municipium being literally a town that has taken on obligations — the civic duties of Roman citizenship. Municipal entering English in the 16th century with the meaning relating to local civic government.