statesman

noun

states·​man ˈstāts-mən 

1

: one versed in the principles or art of government

especially : one actively engaged in conducting the business of a government or in shaping its policies

2

: a wise, skillful, and respected political leader

statesmanlike

ˈstāts-mən-ˌlīk 

adjective

statesmanly

ˈstāts-mən-lē 

adjective

statesmanship

ˈstāts-mən-ˌship 

noun

Examples of statesman in a Sentence

He was a soldier and statesman.

Recent Examples on the Web

And as one of the last remaining elder statesmen of a genre that spent most of its existence largely underappreciated by those out of the know, Guy is acutely aware of the immense weight resting on his shoulders. — Chris Barilla, PEOPLE, 20 Aug. 2026

The statesman, who earlier went viral for DJing at a family wedding, also gave an insight into his playlist and music choices. — Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2026

The elder statesman of this scene, despite being just 35, is Egyptian American comedian Ramy Youssef. — Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026

The conventional view holds that the main architects of European integration were the Frenchmen Jean Monnet, a mild-mannered, mustachioed Cognac merchant and banker, and Robert Schuman, an austere, devoutly Catholic statesman from Lorraine. — Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1592, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing statesman

• elder statesman

Rhymes for statesman

• statesmen

Kids Definition

statesman

noun

states·​man ˈstāt-smən 

: a person engaged in fixing the policies and conducting the affairs of a government

especially : one having unusual wisdom and skill in such matters

statesmanlike

-ˌlīk 

adjective

statesmanly

-lē 

adjective

statesmanship

-ˌship 

noun