Mayor: meaning, definitions and examples

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mayor

[ˈmeɪər ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

city government

The mayor is the elected official who is the head of a city government. They are responsible for making decisions about city policies, budgets, and public services. The mayor often represents the city at official events and meetings.

Synonyms

city leader, city mayor, mayoral official.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
mayor	This term is commonly used in both formal and casual contexts when referring to the highest official in a city’s government. The mayor will be attending the ribbon-cutting ceremony next week. She was elected as the first female mayor of the city.
city leader	This term is less formal and can refer to a broader range of individuals who lead or have a significant influence in the city, not necessarily an elected official. As a city leader, he has worked on several community improvement projects. City leaders are meeting to discuss new environmental policies.
city mayor	Similar to 'mayor,' this term specifies the geographical scope, useful in contexts where clarification is necessary, possibly in discussions about multiple governmental levels. The city mayor has proposed a new budget for public transportation. City mayors from across the country will gather for the annual summit.
mayoral official	This term is more formal and specific, referring to someone associated with the mayor’s office, not necessarily the mayor themselves. It’s usually used in bureaucratic or official contexts. A mayoral official presented the new policy to the public. The investigation involves several mayoral officials.

Examples of usage

The mayor announced a new initiative to improve public transportation in the city.
The mayor met with local business owners to discuss economic development.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

informal term

In informal usage, 'mayor' can refer to someone who acts as if they are in charge, especially in a group setting.

Synonyms

head, leader, organizer.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
mayor	Use 'mayor' when referring to the elected official who is the chief executive of a city, town, or municipality. The mayor announced new plans to improve public transportation. She is running for mayor in the next election.
leader	Use 'leader' to describe someone who guides or directs a group, organization, country, or movement. It is a general term that can be applicable in many contexts. The team leader decided on the next course of action. She emerged as the leader of the protest movement.
organizer	Use 'organizer' when talking about someone who plans and arranges events, projects, or activities. The term also implies a focus on logistical details. The organizer of the conference made sure everything was in place. He is known as a talented event organizer.
head	Use 'head' to describe a person who is in charge of a department, organization, or group. He is the head of the marketing department. The head of the committee called for a meeting.

Examples of usage

Sarah always takes charge of planning our group trips - she's like the mayor of our friend group!
He acted like the mayor at the family reunion, organizing games and activities for everyone.

Translations

Translations of the word "mayor" in other languages:

🇵🇹 prefeito

🇮🇳 महापौर

🇩🇪 Bürgermeister

🇮🇩 wali kota

walikota
mayor

🇺🇦 мер

🇵🇱 burmistrz

🇯🇵 市長 (しちょう)

🇫🇷 maire

🇪🇸 alcalde

🇹🇷 belediye başkanı

🇰🇷 시장 (市長)

🇸🇦 عمدة

🇨🇿 starosta

🇸🇰 starosta

🇨🇳 市长 (shì zhǎng)

🇸🇮 župan

🇮🇸 borgarstjóri

🇰🇿 әкім

🇬🇪 მერი

🇦🇿 bələdiyyə sədri

🇲🇽 alcalde

Etymology

The word 'mayor' originated from the Old French word 'maire', which was derived from the Latin word 'major'. The concept of a mayor as a city official can be traced back to ancient Rome. Over time, the role of the mayor evolved into the position it holds today, with varying levels of authority depending on the country and city.

Word Frequency Rank

At #5,230 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.

...
5227 exclaimed
5228 economical
5229 threatening
5230 mayor
5231 choosing
5232 idle
5233 minimize
...