selectman

noun

se·​lect·​man sə-ˈlek(t)-ˌman How to pronounce selectman (audio)
-ˌlek(t)-ˈman,
-ˈlek(t)-mən;
ˈsē-ˌlek(t)-ˌman
: one of a board of officials elected in towns of all New England states except Rhode Island to serve as the chief administrative authority of the town

Examples of selectman in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Once an unaffiliated voter, Smith has his races for first selectman through the force of his personality, rather than a political party. Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 12 Aug. 2024 The state's Republican voters will also have a choice between Matt Corey, a Navy veteran and business owner, and Gerry Smith, a Beacon Falls first selectman, to challenge Democrat Sen. Chris Murphy in the general election. Rachel Barber, USA TODAY, 13 Aug. 2024 The biggest race for Republicans is the U.S. Senate primary between Beacon Falls first selectman Gerry Smith and longtime restaurant owner Matthew Corey that covers all 169 cities and towns. Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 12 Aug. 2024 The combatants are Beacon Falls first selectman Gerard Smith and restaurant owner Matthew Corey, two low-key candidates who have never won statewide office and have low name recognition. Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 28 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for selectman 

Word History

First Known Use

1635, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of selectman was in 1635

Dictionary Entries Near selectman

Cite this Entry

“Selectman.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/selectman. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

selectman

noun
se·​lect·​man si-ˈlek(t)-ˌman How to pronounce selectman (audio)
-mən;
-ˌlek(t)-ˈman
: one of a group of town officials elected annually in some of the New England states

Legal Definition

selectman

noun
se·​lect·​man si-ˈlekt-mən, -ˌman How to pronounce selectman (audio)
: one of a board of officials elected in towns of all New England states except Rhode Island to serve as the chief administrative authority of the town
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