selectman

noun

se·​lect·​man sə-ˈlek(t)-ˌman 

-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

Honig, a selectman in Harwinton, lost a close race to Seminara two years ago when the seat was open. —Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 14 Nov. 2024

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

Word History

First Known Use

1635, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

selectman

noun

se·​lect·​man si-ˈlek(t)-ˌman 

-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 

: 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