A councillor is a person elected to serve on a council, which is a group that makes decisions for a community. City councillors meet regularly to debate and vote on local issues like whether to build a new park, fix potholes on Main Street, or change the hours at the public library.

Councillors represent the people who elected them, listening to concerns and bringing those voices into meetings. If neighbors want a stop sign at a dangerous intersection, they might contact their councillor, who can raise the issue at the next council meeting.

Notice the spelling: councillor relates to a council, while counselor (with an s) means someone who gives advice or guidance, like a school counselor. A councillor might counsel constituents on how to solve problems, but their main job is making decisions as part of a governing council. In places like Canada, the UK, and Australia, councillor is the standard spelling for elected officials, while Americans typically call them council members.