mu·nic·i·pal
myu̇-ˈni-s(ə-)pəl 
also myə-,
mə-,
-ˈni-sə-bəl,
nonstandard ˌmyü-nə-ˈsi-pəl
1
: of or relating to the internal affairs of a major political unit (such as a nation)
municipal legislation … enacted for the fulfillment of the treaties—
U.S. Stat. 750
U.S. Stat. 7502
a
: of, relating to, or characteristic of a municipality
municipal government
municipal water supplies
municipal elections
municipal courts
b
: having local self-government
3
: restricted to one locality
a new very municipal variety of dwarf sweet pea—Osbert Sitwell
Osbert Sitwell
: a security issued by a state or local government or by an authority set up by such a government
—usually used in plural
Examples of municipal in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Betty Lin-Fisher, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2025
Shelby Park, a municipal park along the border in Eagle Pass that had been a top crossing spot and ground zero for conflicts over immigration enforcement between the Biden administration and Gov. Greg Abbott, has seen few if any migrants try to cross on most days.
—Jack Healy, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2025
Michelle Fox, CNBC, 6 Feb. 2025
That means upgrading airports by expanding terminals, as well as adding more runways, towers and gates, said Daniel Close, the firm’s head of municipals.
—Michelle Fox, CNBC, 25 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for municipal 
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Adjective
Homeowners' associations may also have rules to consider beyond municipal regulations.
—Betty Lin-Fisher, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2025
Shelby Park, a municipal park along the border in Eagle Pass that had been a top crossing spot and ground zero for conflicts over immigration enforcement between the Biden administration and Gov. Greg Abbott, has seen few if any migrants try to cross on most days.
—Jack Healy, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2025
Noun
Municipal bonds have become a significant part of building new stadium projects because these undertakings are seen as an important part of the local economy, explained Dan Close, head of municipals at Nuveen.
—Michelle Fox, CNBC, 6 Feb. 2025
That means upgrading airports by expanding terminals, as well as adding more runways, towers and gates, said Daniel Close, the firm’s head of municipals.
—Michelle Fox, CNBC, 25 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for municipal
Dictionary Entries Near municipal
Cite this Entry
“Municipal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/municipal. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
municipal
1 of 2 adjective
mu·nic·i·pal
myu̇-ˈni-sə-pəl
1
: of or relating to the internal affairs of a major political unit (as a nation)
was sentenced by a court of municipal, not international, jurisdiction
compare domestic
2
a
: of, relating to, or characteristic of a municipality
the municipal counsel
b
: having local self-government
a municipal district
3
: restricted to one locality
municipal
2 of 2 noun
: a security issued by a state or local government or by an authority set up by such a government
—usually used in pl.
see also municipal bond at bond sense 2
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