alderman

noun

al·​der·​man ˈȯl-dər-mən How to pronounce alderman (audio)
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 adjective

Examples of alderman in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Hollenbeck has served Cudahy as alderman for nine years, from 2013 until 2021 and from 2023 to present. Journal Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2024 Megan Green, president of the board of aldermen and the city’s second-highest ranking official, said that while Tracy is generally responsive to the board, aldermen need more information about the financial relationship between the foundation and the Police Department and will now ask for it. Jeremy Kohler, ProPublica, 20 Feb. 2024 Released from three years in prison for corruption, Marin Shaw, former Chicago alderman, just wants to go home and reconnect with her daughter. Sandra Dallas, The Denver Post, 25 Feb. 2024 Outside of Kansas City, other local Jackson County elections include races for mayors, aldermen, city council members, trustees and municipal judges in cities and towns around the county. Natalie Wallington, Kansas City Star, 23 Feb. 2024 The alderman’s office and the city Transportation Department didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment. Kat Tenbarge, NBC News, 24 Jan. 2024 Facing threats of a legal battle from the city’s rank-and-file police union, aldermen again deferred a decision Wednesday over the future of serious discipline for officers accused of wrongdoing. A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2024 At about a dozen high schools across the city Tuesday, Chicago Public Schools students are holding walkouts to demand aldermen vote in favor of a cease-fire resolution scheduled for City Council on Wednesday. Sarah MacAraeg, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2024 Griffin had sought to run for Aldermanic District 15, but the city Election Commission sustained a challenge from the district's alderman, Russell Stamper II. Alison Dirr, Journal Sentinel, 10 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'alderman.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of alderman was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near alderman

Cite this Entry

“Alderman.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alderman. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

alderman

noun
al·​der·​man ˈȯl-dər-mən How to pronounce alderman (audio)
: a member of a city legislative body
aldermanic adjective

Legal Definition

alderman

noun
al·​der·​man ˈȯl-dər-mən How to pronounce alderman (audio)
: a member of a city legislative body

More from Merriam-Webster on alderman

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