mayor

noun

may·​or ˈmā-ər  ˈmer 

especially before names (ˌ)mer

: an official elected or appointed to act as chief executive or nominal head of a city, town, or borough

mayoral

ˈmā-ə-rəl 

ˈmer-əl;

  ˌmā-ˈȯr-əl 

adjective

Examples of mayor in a Sentence

the mayor of New York

Recent Examples on the Web

The letter, signed by 29 aldermen, is an early attempt by Johnson’s council opposition to stake out its territory ahead of the mayor’s fourth budget address next month. — Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 28 Sep. 2026

Governors, mayors, and businesses are pressing forward to find solutions for America’s growing affordability crisis while reducing carbon emissions. — Dan Peck, ABC News, 28 Sep. 2026

Along with many fans, one hopeful is the mayor of Sacramento. — Carmela Karcher, CBS News, 28 Sep. 2026

Alameda, Hilo’s mayor, said people are ready if another hurricane comes their way. — Ryan Chandler, NBC news, 28 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English maire, from Anglo-French, from Latin major greater — more at major

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for mayor

• gayer
• grayer
• greyer
• layer
• nayar
• payer
• payor
• peyer
• player
• preyer
• sayer
• slayer

Kids Definition

mayor

noun

may·​or ˈmā-ər  ˈme(-)ər 

: an official elected to act as head of a city or borough

mayoral

ˈmā-ə-rəl  ˈme- ə- 

adjective

Legal Definition

mayor

noun

may·​or ˈmā-ər, ˈmer 

: an official elected or appointed to act as chief executive or nominal head of a city, town, or borough