city hall

noun

, (often initial capital letters)

1. the administration building of a city government.
2. a city administration or government.
3. Informal. a bureaucracy or bureaucratic rules and regulations, especially that of a city government:

   You can't fight city hall.

city hall

noun

1. the building housing the administrative offices of a city or municipal government
2. 1. municipal government
   2. the officials of a municipality collectively
3. informal.
   bureaucracy

Word History and Origins

Origin of city hall¹

An Americanism dating back to 1665–75

Example Sentences

“We testified at city hall. We tried so hard to push our representatives, and this is the problem,” says Lily Burnett, who lives in the district and whose child will attend these schools.

From Salon

Valencia city hall said all schools and sporting events are suspended on Wednesday, and parks will stay closed.

From BBC

Barcelona city hall has announced that short-term tourist apartments will be banned from 2028.

From BBC

Several senior Sinn Féin members were among those seen in pictures posted online from the city hall event.

From BBC

Below is a vacant lot where the old city hall was torn down two years ago, now sprouting weeds as it awaits development.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• town hall