mayor: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Formal, official, and general.
Quick answer
What does “mayor” mean?
The elected head of a city, town, or other municipality.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The elected head of a city, town, or other municipality.
The chief ceremonial officer and administrative head of a municipal corporation; can also refer to the head of certain other jurisdictions or institutions by historical extension.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, some cities have a 'Lord Mayor' with largely ceremonial duties, while a council leader may hold executive power. In the US, the mayor is almost always the chief executive of a municipality. The title 'Mayoress' is sometimes used in the UK for the wife of a mayor or a female mayor, while 'Mayor' is used for all in the US.
Connotations
UK: Strongly associated with ceremony, civic regalia, and tradition in larger cities. US: Strongly associated with executive power, city management, and local politics.
Frequency
Comparable frequency; a central term in discussions of local government.
Grammar
How to Use “mayor” in a Sentence
Mayor of [City Name]The mayor announced that...to be elected/appointed mayorto serve as mayorVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mayor” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The councillor hopes to mayor the city one day. (very rare, non-standard)
American English
- (No standard verb form in use.)
adverb
British English
- (No standard adverbial form.)
American English
- (No standard adverbial form.)
adjective
British English
- The mayoral chain is a symbol of office.
- They attended the mayor's parlour.
American English
- She launched her mayoral campaign.
- The mayoral race is heating up.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
The mayor cut the ribbon to open the new business park.
Academic
The study analyzed the impact of mayoral policy on urban development.
Everyday
Our mayor is going to fix the potholes on my street.
Technical
The mayor-in-council structure differs from the strong-mayor system of governance.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “mayor”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “mayor”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mayor”
- Spelling confusion with 'mare' (female horse) based on UK pronunciation.
- Using 'mayor' for the leader of a county or region (use 'governor', 'county executive', etc.).
- Incorrect article: 'He is a Mayor of London.' (Correct: 'He is the Mayor of London.')
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A mayor is the elected leader of a city or town (municipality). A governor is the elected leader of a state or region within a country (e.g., a US state).
Yes, absolutely. 'Mayor' is the standard, neutral term for the office-holder regardless of gender. While 'Mayoress' exists, it is often considered outdated and can be seen as diminishing; 'Madam Mayor' or simply 'Mayor' is preferred.
Yes, /meə(r)/ ('mare') is the traditional and common British pronunciation. The American pronunciation /ˈmeɪ.ɚ/ (MAY-er) is also standard and is increasingly heard in the UK.
A 'Lord Mayor' is a title for the mayor of certain important cities, particularly in the UK, Ireland, and Australia. The role is often more ceremonial than executive, involving representing the city at official functions.
The elected head of a city, town, or other municipality.
Mayor is usually formal, official, and general. in register.
Mayor: in British English it is pronounced /meə(r)/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmeɪ.ɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a mayor for all seasons”
- “to pass the mayor's hat (US, informal, fundraising)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine the MAYOR of a town saying 'MAY I have your order?' at a town meeting – connecting 'may' in mayor to a leader asking for consensus.
Conceptual Metaphor
LEADER IS THE HEAD OF THE BODY (The mayor is the head of the city). CITY IS A HOUSEHOLD (The mayor runs the 'city household').
Practice
Quiz
In which of the following contexts would the term 'mayor' LEAST likely be used correctly?