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

City attorneys told aldermen if Guevara's victims each pursued their own lawsuits and took the cases to trial, unpredictable juries could expose taxpayers to even higher costs. — Todd Feurer, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026

Wilson is among aldermen who have over the last year requested records tying expenses incurred by Jones to city business. — Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 14 Oct. 2026

According to Freeman’s, the shells belonged to Robert Merriam, who served as alderman of Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood, where Abercrombie lived and worked. — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 7 Oct. 2026

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