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

Iggy Pop, still prancing, howling and whooping with his chest exposed and jeans sliding down his waist, claims the title of the festival’s leading elder statesman. — Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2026

The 30-year-old Ruiz has an air of authority, the elder statesman beside the engaging Kvaratskhelia and the easygoing Dembele. — Tom Burrows, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Leo is expected to deliver a speech on Europe’s roots, peace and unity at a conference center named for Robert Schuman, a French statesman regarded as one of the Founding Fathers of European integration. — ABC News, 8 Sep. 2026

In Darkest Hour, for which Gary Oldman won a Best Actor Oscar for his portrayal of wartime leader Winston Churchill, the great statesman is seen riding on the London Underground — a bit of poetic license. — Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 2 Sep. 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