alderman

noun al·der·man \ ˈȯl-dər-mən \

|Updated on: 5 Jul 2018

Definition of alderman

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

play \ˌȯl-dər-ˈma-nik\ adjective

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Recent Examples of alderman from the Web

The previous proposed settlement stalled in May after aldermen learned the city's costs could skyrocket to $6 million or more, a steep increase from the initial figure of $1.9 million.

— mary spicuzza, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "City of Milwaukee aims to cap consultant fees for stop-and-frisk lawsuit at $1.5 million," 2 July 2018
Mayor Erin Stewart on Monday vetoed more than $1.5 million worth of cuts that Democratic aldermen made to her budget proposal nine days earlier.

— don stacom, Courant Community, "Mayor Vetoes Changes To New Britain Budget," 18 June 2018
Minotians once travelled to the Chinatown in Winnipeg, Manitoba—not exactly a metropolis—to shop, says Josh Wolsky, an alderman.

— The Economist, "How a small town in North Dakota got its groove back," 7 June 2018
Chicago’s Cinco de Mayo parade in Little Village has been canceled just days before stepping off, the event’s organizer and an alderman say.

— lauren chval, RedEye Chicago, "Cinco de Mayo parade canceled amid dispute between alderman, community group," 2 May 2018
Previously only four the 14 aldermen had to contest their seats and Chuck Barney, the mayor, ran unopposed.

— The Economist, "How a small town in North Dakota got its groove back," 7 June 2018
Demanding transparency and accountability, 10 of the 15 aldermen on the Milwaukee Common Council expressed concern Tuesday that the new footage was not included among video shared with the Council two months ago.

— eliott c. mclaughlin, CNN, "Milwaukee police stepped on Sterling Brown's ankle, mocked him, bodycam footage shows," 6 June 2018
However, the city has a longtime practice of deferring decisions within wards to individual aldermen.

— john greenfield, Chicago Reader, "News / Politics City should yank fascist Balbo's name from Chicago street, rename it for Ida B. Wells: aldermen," 22 May 2018
Hodgman pointed to aldermen’s fear that his organization likely would not be able to keep up with fundraising goals.

— alex nitkin, chicagotribune.com, "Harley Clarke Mansion supporters, Evanston leaders fear property headed for demolition," 1 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'alderman.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of alderman

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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ALDERMAN Defined for English Language Learners

alderman

noun

Definition of alderman for English Language Learners

: a member of a city government in the U.S., Canada, and Australia
: a senior member of an English town, county, or borough council who is elected by the other members

ALDERMAN Defined for Kids

alderman

noun al·der·man \ ˈȯl-dər-mən \

Definition of alderman for Students

: a member of a lawmaking body in a city

Law Dictionary

alderman

noun al·der·man \ ˈȯl-dər-mən \

legal Definition of alderman

: a member of a city legislative body

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Spanish Central: Translation of alderman Nglish: Translation of alderman for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of alderman for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about alderman

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alderman

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aldermanic

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Origin and Etymology of alderman

ALDERMAN Defined for English Language Learners

alderman

Definition of alderman for English Language Learners

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alderman

Definition of alderman for Students

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alderman

legal Definition of alderman

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alderman

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aldermanic

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alderman

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alderman

Definition of alderman for Students

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legal Definition of alderman

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