Pronunciation: [mjuːnˈɪsɪpə͡l] (IPA) 
Municipal is a word with a tricky spelling. The |mju:| sound at the beginning is followed by |nɪsəl|, not |nɪpl|. This is because the word comes from Latin "municipalis", from "municeps" meaning citizen. The "ci" in Latin sounds like |s|, so the word came to English as "municipal". It's important to get the spelling right in official documents and correspondence as it can affect the credibility of the author or organization.
The term "municipal" is an adjective derived from the Latin word "municipalis," which relates to a municipality or a city. It refers to anything that is connected to or associated with a municipality or its governing body, such as a town or a local community.
In its primary sense, "municipal" describes matters or activities undertaken by a local government within a specific jurisdiction. This includes the management and administration of various public services and infrastructures, including local police, fire departments, water and sanitation systems, public transportation, parks, and libraries. Furthermore, it encompasses the formulation and execution of policies and regulations that cater to the needs and interests of the respective community.
The term also encompasses anything that pertains to the municipal authorities or offices, such as municipal elections, municipal taxation, or municipal bonds. It implies the idea of self-governance and local decision-making within a specific geographic area.
In a broader context, "municipal" can also be used to describe goods or services provided by private companies, but primarily used by or operating within a municipality. For example, a municipal bus service refers to buses operated within a city or town by a private company that is contracted by the local government.
Overall, "municipal" is a versatile term that denotes the activities, services, authorities, or characteristics related to a particular municipality or its governing body.
Pert. to a city, corporation, or state.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "municipal" comes from the Latin word "municipalis", which is derived from "municipium". "Municipium" was the Roman term used to describe a town or city that had been granted self-governing rights, typically by the Roman Empire. It was often used to refer to colonies or conquered cities that were permitted to govern themselves under Roman law while still being subject to Roman authority. Over time, the term "municipal" came to be associated with local self-government and governance at the city or town level.
