noun

alderman

AWL-der-mun/ˈɔːldərmən/

An elected member of a municipal council.

The alderman votes on street improvements at a public council meeting.

A focal alderman participates as one equal member of a small municipal council, voting on a neighborhood street-improvement proposal in a public council chamber.

Etymology

The combination of “patriarch” and “man” presumably first referred to clan elders, then became a title for leaders regardless of age. Its use for guild heads developed into a municipal title as guilds became associated with city government.

In context

Graham Nash7:37

alderman carter is a businessman while mrs westland is a widow who lives a retired life with her son all sorts and kinds of people elected from amongst the citizens of our town

I am Mayor of Maidenhead 1960

More examples

Residents elect a new alderman to represent their neighborhood.
Several aldermen oppose the mayor’s budget proposal.
She serves as an alderman and chairs the housing committee.

Forms

alderman · aldermen

alderwoman noun — A woman elected to a municipal council.

Similar words

councilor: Applies to members of various councils, not only municipal ones.
councilman: Specifically denotes a male council member, regardless of official title.