alderman

noun

al·​der·​man ˈȯl-dər-mən 

1

: a person governing a kingdom, district, or shire as viceroy for an Anglo-Saxon king

2

a

: a magistrate formerly ranking next below the mayor in an English or Irish city or borough

b

: a high-ranking member of a borough or county council in Ireland or formerly in England chosen by elected members

3

: a member of a city legislative body

aldermanic

ˌȯl-dər-ˈma-nik 

adjective

Examples of alderman in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Ed Burke likely would be preening around the floor of the City Council as 14th Ward alderman. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2025

After much discussion, a majority of city aldermen voted Wednesday in favor of the mayor’s $830 million borrowing plan for capital projects. —Jim Talamonti | The Center Square Contributor, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 2 Mar. 2025

Jurors convicted former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan of 10 counts including conspiracy, bribery and wire fraud related to schemes involving the state's largest utility, ComEd, and efforts to get a Chicago alderman a state board job. —arkansasonline.com, 13 Feb. 2025

Irvin has been the mayor of Aurora since 2017 and before that was an alderman at-large for 10 years in the city. —R. Christian Smith, Chicago Tribune, 26 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English ealdorman, from ealdor parent (from eald old) + man — more at old

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for alderman

• aldermen

Kids Definition

alderman

noun

al·​der·​man ˈȯl-dər-mən 

: a member of a city legislative body

aldermanic

ˌȯl-dər-ˈman-ik 

adjective

Legal Definition

alderman

noun

al·​der·​man ˈȯl-dər-mən 

: a member of a city legislative body