(in Australia and New Zealand) a body consisting of ministers of the Crown presided over by the Governor or Governor-General that formally approves Cabinet decisions, etc
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
exec′utive coun′cil,
- Governmenta council having the highest executive authority.
- Governmenta council appointed to give advice to the head of a government.
- 1770–80, American.
'Executive Council' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):