alderman

noun

al·​der·​man ˈȯl-dər-mən 

1

: a person governing a kingdom, district, or shire as viceroy for an Anglo-Saxon king

2

a

: a magistrate formerly ranking next below the mayor in an English or Irish city or borough

b

: a high-ranking member of a borough or county council in Ireland or formerly in England chosen by elected members

3

: a member of a city legislative body

aldermanic

ˌȯl-dər-ˈma-nik 

adjective

Examples of alderman in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

His name is Raymond Lopez, an alderman from Chicago’s 15th Ward. —Christopher Tremoglie, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2025

The mayor’s decision comes after many observers pegged the former alderman’s son as the frontrunner to inherit the seat. —Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025

The remaining $5 million came from the city's 2025 budget approved by the Common Council in November, though not without opposition from a few aldermen. —Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, jsonline.com, 4 Sep. 2025

Given the presence of landmark commissions and hard-to-please neighbors (and city aldermen), common sense improvements at Wrigley Field have always been made despite kicking and screaming. —Phil Rogers, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English ealdorman, from ealdor parent (from eald old) + man — more at old

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for alderman

• aldermen

Kids Definition

alderman

noun

al·​der·​man ˈȯl-dər-mən 

: a member of a city legislative body

aldermanic

ˌȯl-dər-ˈman-ik 

adjective

Legal Definition

alderman

noun

al·​der·​man ˈȯl-dər-mən 

: a member of a city legislative body