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

Chicago aldermen approved a sweeping ban outlawing unlicensed businesses in the city from selling all but a few hemp products. —Chicago Tribune, 22 Jan. 2026

The City Council on Wednesday delayed a final vote on a measure that would have expanded the Chicago Police Department's authority to impose teen curfews, when aldermen balked at immediately voting on last-minute changes the ordinance's chief sponsor was seeking. —Asal Rezaei, CBS News, 21 Jan. 2026

Before becoming a city alderman, Richards participated in the citywide marches protesting a lack of open housing legislation in the city in the 1960s and was a priest in the Milwaukee Archdiocese for almost two decades, starting in 1963. —Vanessa Swales, jsonline.com, 6 Jan. 2026

Here is a look at the aldermen and school board contests that will be on the ballot, along with election dates, the first day candidates can pick up petitions and the qualifying deadlines. —Corey Davis, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 5 Jan. 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