An organization of the principal merchants, manufacturers, tradesmen, etc., of a city, for the purpose of furthering its commercial interests, encouraging the establishment of manufactures, promoting trade, securing or improving shipping facilities, and generally advancing the prosperity of the place as an industrial and commercial community. In England, one of the administrative departments of government, being a committee of the privy council which is appointed for the consideration of matters relating to trade and foreign plantations.
Black’s Law Online Dictionary
