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.
Desmon Yancy, an alderman representing a South Side ward the mayor considers to be part of his base, wrote a remarkably frank op-ed that outlined Johnson’s problem in stark terms. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026 Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson will take his 2027 budget pitch directly to residents Thursday, as some aldermen reject a key part of his plan. — Darius Johnson, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026 According to Freeman’s, the shells belonged to Robert Merriam, who served as alderman of Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood, where Abercrombie lived and worked. — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 7 Oct. 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 27 Oct. 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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