freedman

noun freed·man \ ˈfrēd-mən , -ˌman \

|Updated on: 30 Jun 2018

Definition of freedman

: a person freed from slavery

Recent Examples of freedman from the Web

For the most part, officials left the freedmen’s fate to a group of teachers, preachers, doctors and abolitionists known as Gideon’s Band, a proto-Peace Corps unit that helped the former slaves establish schools and an island economy.

— harrison smith, Washington Post, "Willie Lee Rose, influential historian of slavery and Reconstruction, dies at 91," 26 June 2018
Because of the 1866 treaties, freedmen were granted membership into the nation under which they were previously enslaved.

— The Root, "Tracing Your Roots: Did Grandma Have Creek Indian Roots?," 26 Jan. 2018
For the very first time in the history of forever, us freedmen and women were suddenly able to own a piece of our own land.

— clarkisha kent, The Root, "Bloody Mae," 11 Mar. 2018
By borrowing a freedman’s protection certificate from a friend and wearing the disguise of a sailor sewn by Anna, Frederick made his way to New York City by train (possibly spending Anna’s money to buy the ticket, says historian Leigh Fought).

— lorraine boissoneault, Smithsonian, "The Hidden History of Anna Murray Douglass," 5 Mar. 2018
His story captures the oft-changing demographic makeup of a neighborhood with a long history dating back to the end of the Civil War, when it was largely settled by freedmen.

— andrew dansby, Houston Chronicle, "Filmmaker Greg Carter shares his '5th Ward' perspective," 28 Feb. 2018
Shortly after the end of the Civil War, freedmen coming to Durham, N.C., to work in the tobacco warehouses began living on the southern edge of the city.

— michael harriot, The Root, "The Other Black Wall Streets," 15 Feb. 2018
It was also meant to protect freedmen and women from assaults by Southern whites.

— allison keyes, Smithsonian, "Frederick Douglas’ 200th Birthday Invites Remembrance and Reflection," 8 Feb. 2018
Also listed as freedmen working for D.H. Hendley were Joe Shivers, George Wood, Frank Hendley, Moses Johnson, Powell Bishop and Jack Hendley.

— The Root, "Tracing Your Roots: What Did Freedom Bring for My Ancestor?," 29 Sep. 2017

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