alderman

noun

al·​der·​man ˈȯl-dər-mən How to pronounce alderman (audio)
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 How to pronounce alderman (audio)
adjective

Examples of alderman in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Senatobia Police Chief Harold Vanderford submitted his resignation the same day, but the city’s board of aldermen declined to acknowledge it and instead voted unanimously to fire Vanderford, according to the city clerk. — Sophie Bates, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026 Senatobia Police Chief Harold Vanderford submitted his resignation the same day, but the city's board of aldermen declined to acknowledge it and instead voted unanimously to fire Vanderford, according to the city clerk. — ABC News, 2 Sep. 2026 If placed on the ballot, the questions would ask Aurora voters if the city should adopt mechanisms that would allow a sitting mayor or an alderman at-large to be recalled. — Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026 For that reason, the alderman is reminding seniors to never open their door for anyone soliciting. — Jermont Terry, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for alderman

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of alderman was before the 12th century

Rhymes for alderman

See All Rhymes for alderman

Browse Nearby Words

alderliefest
alderman
aldermaness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Alderman.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alderman. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

alderman

noun
al·​der·​man ˈȯl-dər-mən How to pronounce alderman (audio)
: a member of a city legislative body
aldermanic
ˌȯl-dər-ˈman-ik How to pronounce alderman (audio)
adjective

Legal Definition

alderman

noun
al·​der·​man ˈȯl-dər-mən How to pronounce alderman (audio)
: a member of a city legislative body

More from Merriam-Webster on alderman

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about alderman

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