What does mayorship mean?
“Mayorship” means the office of mayor, and sometimes the length of time for which a mayor holds that office. It is a formal word that can refer both to the institutional position and to its holder's period in authority. A person may enter the mayorship through an election, and a council may debate how the office should be exercised. The term is more common in political, historical, and ceremonial writing than in casual conversation. It should not be confused with “mayoralty,” which emphasizes the term of office rather than the position itself. Mayorship is also related to “mayoral,” an adjective describing something connected with a mayor, and “mayor,” the person who holds the office.
nounThe office, position, or term of tenure of a mayor. It can also refer to the status or authority associated with being a mayor.
- The office or position of mayor.
- The period during which a person serves as mayor.
"She was elected to the mayorship of the city after years on the council."
"The mayorship brought her into contact with residents across every district."
"His mayorship was marked by major improvements to public transport."
The standard plural is “mayorships.”
"The two mayorships were separated by several decades."
The mayorship is more than a title: it is the civic office that turns a municipality's elected representative into its chief executive.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does mayorship come from?
“Mayorship” is formed from “mayor” and the suffix “-ship,” which indicates a position, status, or relationship. The word “mayor” comes through Old French “maire,” from Latin “maior,” meaning “greater” or “superior.” In Middle English, “mayor” referred to a person holding a superior legal or administrative office, and its modern civic sense developed with the growth of municipal government. The suffix “-ship” is also found in related English words such as “worship” and “partnership.”
Related word forms
How mayorship is actually used
The word is formal and relatively uncommon in everyday speech. In British English it is especially associated with historical or ceremonial usage, while American English uses it chiefly in political and civic contexts.
Easily confused with mayorship
“Mayorship” refers to the office or position of being mayor, while “mayoralty” more specifically refers to the tenure or period during which someone serves as mayor.