statesmanship

noun

states·​man·​ship -ˌship 

1

: the art or practice of conducting governmental affairs : political leadership

those who are fit for the highest duties of statesmanship such as the final choice of means and ends

—G. H. Sabine

stupid, stubborn statesmanship, without vision or imagination

—C. G. Bowers

2

: leadership characterized by wisdom, breadth of vision, or regard for the general welfare rather than partisan interest

transforms opportunism into idealism, or politics into statesmanship

—R. B. Perry

forgot statesmanship and embraced politics

—New York Herald Tribune Book Review

a task demanding a high level of educational statesmanship

—J. D. Russell & C. H. Judd

industrial statesmanship

labor statesmanship

Word History

First Known Use

1764, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Rhymes for statesmanship

• apostleship
• apprenticeship
• assistantship
• championship
• chancellorship
• citizenship
• companionship
• copartnership
• dictatorship
• directorship
• discipleship
• editorship