What does burgomaster mean?
A burgomaster is the chief municipal official of a town, particularly in the Netherlands or Belgium, where the title is the familiar English form of burgemeester. In older English accounts of continental Europe, it can refer more broadly to a town's principal magistrate or civic governor. The word often conveys dignity, tradition, and a strong sense of local authority, making it particularly evocative in historical writing. In ordinary contemporary British and American English, however, “mayor” is much more familiar and generally preferred. The term is therefore useful both as a precise reference to the Belgian and Dutch civic office and as a historically colored English word. It should not automatically be understood as a completely separate office from the mayor, although the precise title, powers, and institutional setting vary between countries and historical periods.
nounThe chief municipal officer or mayor of a town, especially in the Netherlands or Belgium. Historically, the title was also used for the principal magistrate of a town in various parts of continental Europe.
- The chief municipal officer of a town, especially in the Netherlands or Belgium; historically, the principal magistrate of a town in continental Europe.
"The burgomaster of Ghent welcomed the visitors to the restored town hall."
"After the ceremony, the burgomaster of Ghent addressed the crowd from the steps of the town hall."
"The novel follows a burgomaster attempting to mediate between the city council and an increasingly restless population."
The regular plural is used when referring to the officials of two or more towns or to several officeholders collectively.
"The two burgomasters signed the agreement at the town hall."
A burgomaster is essentially a mayor, but with a title that carries the atmosphere of old guild halls, town squares, and European civic history.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does burgomaster come from?
The word entered English in the early 17th century from Dutch burgemeester, whose elements refer to a “master of the burghers,” or leading citizens of a town. The parallel German form Bürgermeister belongs to the same civic tradition and helps explain the term's broad historical associations with municipal government in continental Europe. English subsequently retained it mainly in historical writing and as a translation of the Dutch and Belgian title.
Related word forms
How burgomaster is actually used
In modern English, this is a relatively uncommon and sometimes archaic-sounding alternative to “mayor.” It is especially associated with the Dutch and Belgian title burgemeester and with historical descriptions of European municipal government.