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HOW TO PRONOUNCE

mayor

/ˈmeɪ̯.ɚ/

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American Pronunciation Guide · 1:05
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What does mayor mean?

noun

  1. The chief executive of the municipal government of a city, borough, etc., formerly (historical) usually appointed as a caretaker by European royal courts but now usually appointed or elected locally.
  2. A largely ceremonial position in some municipal governments that presides over the city council while a contracted city manager holds actual executive power.
  3. (figuratively, humorous) A local VIP, a muckamuck or big shot reckoned to lead some local group.
More meanings (5)

proper noun

  1. A surname from Anglo-Norman.

noun

  1. (historical) Ellipsis of mayor of the palace, the royal stewards of the Frankish Empire.
  2. (historical) Synonym of mair, various former officials in the Kingdom of Scotland.
  3. (obsolete, rare) A member of a city council.
  4. (historical, obsolete) A high justice, an important judge.

Definitions regrouped for readability · CC BY-SA 4.0

IPA pronunciation

/ˈmeɪ̯.ɚ/

Wiktionary contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0

Pronunciation varies by speaker and region. About these dictionary pronunciations.

In the pages of books

See this word in context.

“Mr. Mayor, six weeks ago, in consequence of the scene over that woman, I was furious, and I informed against you.”
Victor HugoLes MisérablesTranslated by Isabel Florence HapgoodProject Gutenberg ebook #135
The three departments of the government is the President rules the world, the governor rules the State, the mayor rules the city.
Mark TwainWhat Is Man? and Other EssaysProject Gutenberg ebook #70
More book examples (3)
“Il est Anglais,” said the mayor, shaking his head, as though he meant that an Englishman might face the devil with impunity.
S. (Sabine) Baring-GouldThe Book of Were-WolvesProject Gutenberg ebook #5324
So Jurgis went out to the stockyards again, and was introduced to the political lord of the district, the boss of Chicago’s mayor.
Upton SinclairThe JungleProject Gutenberg ebook #140
An alderman about to be mayor must by-and-by enlarge his dinner-parties, but at present there were plenty of guests at his well-spread table.
George EliotMiddlemarchProject Gutenberg ebook #145