councilman

IPA/ˈkaʊnslmən/
KK[kˈaʊnsəlmən]IPA/ˈkaʊnslmən/

councilman — noun

  • councilmansingular
  • councilmenplural

1. a man chosen by voters to serve on a city, town, or county council, where local

1.nounB1
Definition

a man chosen by voters to serve on a city, town, or county council, where local laws are discussed and decisions about public services are made

Example

Councilman Hiro Tanaka voted against the new park budget at last night's meeting.

typical subject performing legislative action

Residents of Northwood wrote to councilman Quan Lee about the broken streetlights.

constituents contacting a councilman

Common collocations
  • city councilman
  • county councilman
  • former councilman
  • fellow councilman
  • councilman for [district/ward]
  • serve as a councilman
  • elect a councilman
Synonyms
  • councilor

    gender-neutral term, more common in American English; interchangeable in most contexts

  • councillor

    standard spelling in British English

  • council member

    gender-neutral phrase, increasingly preferred in official documents

  • alderman

    older term for a local council member, still used in some US cities and UK boroughs; may carry historical connotations

Antonyms
  • constituent

    a person who lives in an area and is represented by an elected official, as opposed to the official themselves

  • private citizen

    a person who does not hold elected office

Usage Note

This term specifies a male elected official. The gender-neutral alternatives 'council member' or 'councilor' are increasingly preferred in formal writing and legislation. In British English, the equivalent term is 'councillor' (gender-neutral).

Common Mistakes

He works as a councilman in a private company.
He serves as a councilman on the city council.
A councilman is an elected public official, not a private-sector job.
Councilman Rodriguez is a doctor at the hospital.' (when meaning a medical doctor who also serves)
Councilman Rodriguez is a city council member who also works as a doctor.
To avoid confusion, clarify the dual role when context is missing.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

These terms all refer to a person elected to a local government body, but they differ in gender specificity, region, and formality. 'Councilman' specifies a male member and is most common in American English. 'Councilor' (US) and 'councillor' (UK) are gender-neutral and the standard terms in official usage. 'Council member' is a fully transparent phrase that avoids any gender implication; it is increasingly used in municipal codes and job descriptions. 'Alderman' is an older title still found in some US cities (e.g., Chicago, Milwaukee) and UK boroughs; it often carries historical or ceremonial weight. For everyday writing, 'council member' or 'councilor' is the safest neutral choice. For example: 'She was elected councilor for Ward 3.' vs. 'The city has 12 aldermen who each represent a district.'

councilor ↗councillor ↗council memberalderman ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • serve as a councilman
  • run for councilman
  • elect a councilman

Prepositions

  • on [the city council]
  • for [district/ward]
  • from [area]

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Formed in English from 'council' (a group of people who govern or advise, from Latin 'concilium' meaning 'a meeting') and 'man' (adult male person). The compound emerged in the 1500s but became common in the context of US local government in the 19th and 20th centuries.