Ayuntamiento (Spanish pronunciation: [aʝuntaˈmjento]) is the general term for the council of a municipality, or sometimes the municipality itself, in Spain and Latin America. Historically "ayuntamiento" was often preceded by the word excelentísimo (English: "most excellent"), when referring to the council. This phrase is often abbreviated "Exc.mo Ay.to" Since ayuntamiento is a metonym for the building in which the council meets, it also translates to "city/town hall" in English.