What does mayoralty mean?
Mayoralty means the office of mayor or the period during which someone serves as mayor. The word is especially associated with elections, political careers, civic administration, and historical accounts of local government. For example, a candidate may campaign for mayoralty, and a newspaper may discuss the policies pursued during a mayor's mayoralty. Although the term is used in both British and American English, it is more formal than everyday expressions such as “being mayor.” Its main distinction is that it focuses on the position or term of office rather than directly on the mayor as an individual.
nounThe office or term of office of a mayor.
- The office or position of mayor.
- The period during which a person serves as mayor.
"She won the mayoralty of the city after a closely contested election."
"The mayoralty brought new opportunities for reform in the city."
"During his mayoralty, he oversaw the construction of several new parks."
The plural is used when referring to the offices or terms of office of different mayors.
"The two mayoralities were marked by major changes in local policy."
A mayoralty is the office itself, not the person who holds it: the candidate sought the mayoralty, while the mayor occupied it.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does mayoralty come from?
The word is formed from “mayor” with the suffix “-alty,” a noun-forming suffix associated with words such as “loyalty.” It entered English during the early 19th century, when forms based on “mayoral” and “mayorality” were also in use. The term shares its civic root with “mayor,” while “mayoral” and “mayorality” reflect the same historical development.
Related word forms
How mayoralty is actually used
The term is formal and is more common in political and historical writing than in everyday conversation. It can refer both to the office and to the tenure of the person holding it.