What does alderwomen mean?
Alderwomen is the plural of alderwoman and denotes female members of a municipal council. The word is especially familiar in United States local government, where “alderman” remains a title for certain council members, but in the United Kingdom councils may use “alderman” or the more neutral “councillor” according to local practice. “Alderwomen” therefore refers to the female holders of an aldermanic or comparable civic office, while “aldermen” denotes their male counterparts. The expression can sound traditional or formal, and some contemporary councils prefer the term “councillors” because it avoids gender distinctions. Nevertheless, alderwomen remains an accurate and established designation, particularly in American municipal politics, legal writing, and historical contexts. Its unusual history comes from the Old English compound behind “alderman,” literally associated with an “elder man,” with the modern feminine form replacing the male element with “woman.”
nounThe plural of alderwoman; female members of a municipal council, particularly in the United States.
- Female members of a municipal council, especially in the United States and in British local-government usage.
"The alderwomen joined their male colleagues in approving the housing proposal."
"Two alderwomen introduced an amendment to the city budget."
"The ceremony recognized several alderwomen who had served the borough for more than a decade."
The regular English plural of alderwoman.
"The city elected three alderwomen to represent the new districts."
The title began with the idea of an “elder man”; alderwomen preserves the old civic label while changing its gender.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does alderwomen come from?
The word is formed on the model of alderman, with the feminine element woman. Alderman descends from Old English aldormann, a compound of aldor, meaning “elder” or “superior,” and mann, meaning “man.” The same Germanic root appears in cognates such as elder, eld, and old.
Related word forms
How alderwomen is actually used
The term is firmly established in United States municipal government. In parts of the United Kingdom, councillors may be styled either councillors or aldermen, with the choice depending on the local authority and the office. “Councillor” is often the more neutral, gender-neutral designation.
Easily confused with alderwomen
Alderwomen are female members of a municipal council, whereas aldermen are its male members.