stadtholder

noun

stadt·hold·er ˈstat-ˌhōl-dər

1

: a viceroy in a province of the Netherlands

2

: a chief executive officer of the provinces that formed a union leading to establishment of the Netherlands

stadtholderate

ˈstat-ˌhōl-də-rət

noun

stadtholdership

ˈstat-ˌhōl-dər-ˌship

noun

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Both eventually appointed William as stadtholder—steward or governor—making him, in effect, the leader of the republic. —

Allan Massie, WSJ, 6 Oct. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'stadtholder.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

partial translation of Dutch stadhouder, from stad place + houder holder

First Known Use

1668, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of stadtholder was in 1668

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Stadtholder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stadtholder. Accessed 1 Apr. 2023.

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