DictionaryAI

mayor

noun
MAY-ur/ˈmeɪ.əɹ/UKMAIR/ˈmɛə/

Pluralmayors

6 meanings of mayor

Practice

  1. 1
    city leadernouncountable
    The person who leads the government of a city or town. In some places the job is mostly ceremonial.

    Like the captain of a ship, but for a whole city.

    The mayor cut the ribbon at the opening of the new library.

    Our town elected a new mayor last fall.

    UsageSay run for mayor, with no a or the. Before a name: Mayor Lopez.

    Note
  2. 2
    local big shotnounfigurativelyhumorouscountable
    An important or well-known person treated as the leader of some local group.

    Our building's mayor is a friendly old man who knows every family by name.

    Ask Rosa about the street fair. She has been mayor of this block for years.

    UsageWe often say someone is the unofficial mayor of a street or block.

    Similarkingpin, bigwig

    Note
  3. 3
    nounobsoletehistorical
    An important, high-ranking judge in former times.
    Note

Less common meanings

  1. 4
    nounobsoleteIreland
    A member of a city's governing council, in former times.
    Note
  2. 5
    noun
    Short for mayor of the palace, the chief steward who ran a Frankish king's household and lands.
  3. 6
    noun
    A local official in the former Kingdom of Scotland.

Practice

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Origin

It comes from Old French maire, meaning the head of a town, which came from Latin maior meaning 'bigger' or 'greater'.

Checked 6 Nov 2026 · 3 facts