noun
council; board of advisors
A formal deliberative body, often in governmental or organizational contexts. The term is somewhat formal and may be encountered in legal or administrative settings.
市の参事会は新しい条例を審議した。
The city council deliberated on the new ordinance.
理事会 refers to a board of directors or trustees, typically in corporations or institutions, whereas 参事会 is more commonly used in public or governmental contexts.
Compound of 参事 (さんじ, 'advisor' or 'councillor') and 会 (かい, 'meeting' or 'assembly'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the term follows a common pattern for naming formal bodies.