statesman

1 of 2

noun (1)

states·​man ˈstāts-mən 

1

: one versed in the principles or art of government

especially : one actively engaged in conducting the business of a government or in shaping its policies

2

: a wise, skillful, and respected political leader

statesmanlike

ˈstāts-mən-ˌlīk 

adjective

statesmanly

ˈstāts-mən-lē 

adjective

statesmanship

ˈstāts-mən-ˌship 

noun

statesmanship

2 of 2

noun (2)

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

Examples of statesman in a Sentence

Noun (1)

He was a soldier and statesman.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

For years, the duo drove around Jersey, Mauro offering tidbits of wisdom from his lifetime as the elder statesman of the New York bagel industry. — HubSpot, 30 Oct. 2026

Netanyahu's supporters see him as a steady hand and a consummate statesman who has led Israel through a war of redemption after the country's darkest hour. — Arkansas Online, 28 Oct. 2026

Netanyahu’s supporters see him as a steady hand and a consummate statesman who has led Israel through a war of redemption after the country’s darkest hour. — Tia Goldenberg, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026

In a Latin America increasingly defined by emerging leaders, Lula remains a old statesman with international reach. — Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1592, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1764, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing statesman

• elder statesman

Rhymes for statesman

• statesmen

Kids Definition

statesman

noun

states·​man ˈstāt-smən 

: a person engaged in fixing the policies and conducting the affairs of a government

especially : one having unusual wisdom and skill in such matters

statesmanlike

-ˌlīk 

adjective

statesmanly

-lē 

adjective

statesmanship

-ˌship 

noun