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

Some aldermen, both at the committee meeting last month and at the City Council meeting on Tuesday, had concerns over how the collected data was being handled by the police department. —R. Christian Smith, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2025

But when the flag finally came up for a Common Council vote eight years later, several aldermen and Mayor Cavalier Johnson raised questions about the selection process, and the whole thing was put on hold. —Chris Foran, jsonline.com, 9 July 2025

One, Hugh, became a teacher, saloon owner and, during Reconstruction, an Austin city alderman. —Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025

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

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