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

However, the alderman and mayoral candidate failed to garner the votes required to override Jones’ veto of the action. —Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 27 June 2025

The expectation is set early in the series, when an alderman who tries to swindle George bankrupts himself in the process, then kills himself in shame. —Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 24 June 2025

His last day serving as an alderman was last month. —Michelle Watson, CNN Money, 18 June 2025

Anthony Napolitano, 41st, and approved by the Committee on License and Consumer Protection that would give aldermen the power to outright ban Airbnbs by aldermanic fiat and then force Airbnb and its competitors to collect signatures to overturn the ban and stay in business. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 13 June 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