committeewoman: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, official, bureaucratic
Quick answer
What does “committeewoman” mean?
A female member of a committee.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A female member of a committee.
Specifically, a woman who holds an official position within a committee, often implying a role of some responsibility or representation, such as a precinct or ward committee representative in a political party.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is rare in modern British English, where 'committee member' is standard. In American English, it retains specific use in political party structures (e.g., Democratic/Republican precinct committeewoman).
Connotations
In the UK: Potentially archaic or explicitly gendered language. In the US: Official title within local party politics, though also considered dated by some.
Frequency
Very low frequency in British English. Low-to-moderate in American English, concentrated in political reporting and official party documents.
Grammar
How to Use “committeewoman” in a Sentence
elected/appointed (as) committeewoman for/of [area]served as the committeewoman from [place]the committeewoman is responsible for [task]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “committeewoman” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (No standard verb forms derived from this noun.)
American English
- (No standard verb forms derived from this noun.)
adverb
British English
- (No standard adverb forms derived from this noun.)
American English
- (No standard adverb forms derived from this noun.)
adjective
British English
- (No standard adjective forms derived from this noun.)
American English
- (No standard adjective forms derived from this noun.)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Extremely rare. Might appear in historical or formal corporate governance documents.
Academic
Rare. Mainly in political science or historical texts discussing party structures.
Everyday
Very rare. Unlikely in casual conversation.
Technical
Low-frequency technical term in political organization and election law contexts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “committeewoman”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “committeewoman”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “committeewoman”
- Using 'committeewoman' in a general context where 'committee member' is appropriate.
- Misspelling as 'commiteewoman' or 'committewoman'.
- Assuming it is a universal synonym for any female committee member, ignoring its specific political usage in the US.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a low-frequency term. It is most commonly encountered in specific American political contexts and is considered somewhat dated or formal elsewhere.
'Committee member' is the standard, gender-neutral term. 'Committeewoman' specifies the gender of the member and is often used as an official title, particularly in US political party organizations.
Yes, 'committeeman' exists with parallel usage, though it is also being replaced by gender-neutral terms in many contexts.
Use it only if you are specifically referring to the official title within an organization (like a US political party) that uses it. In general contexts, 'committee member' or 'female committee member' is preferred for clarity and inclusivity.
A female member of a committee.
Committeewoman is usually formal, official, bureaucratic in register.
Committeewoman: in British English it is pronounced /kəˌmɪt.iˈwʊm.ən/, and in American English it is pronounced /kəˌmɪt̬.iˈwʊm.ən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(no common idioms for this specific term)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'A woman on a committee' -> 'committee-woman'. Like 'chairwoman', it specifies gender in an official title.
Conceptual Metaphor
A CONTAINER (the committee) with a PERSON (the woman) as a component part.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'committeewoman' MOST specifically and currently used?