What does selectman mean?
A selectman is a municipal official selected to represent a town or one of its districts. The term is most strongly associated with New England, where it survives in the formal names of local government bodies such as the board of selectmen. Rather than describing a single presiding officer comparable to a mayor, a selectman may serve as one member of a board that exercises legislative and administrative responsibilities. The title also reflects the older practice of choosing representatives to conduct public business. Although “selectman” can evoke traditional town meetings and decentralized New England government, it remains in active governmental use in some municipalities. In other parts of the United States, and in modern British English, the usual terms are council member, councillor, or municipal official.
An elected or otherwise chosen member of a municipal governing board, especially in a New England town.
"The selectmen published the annual report and notice of the town meeting."
Often used collectively in the expression board of selectmen. In some New England towns, selectmen collectively exercise executive as well as legislative authority.
Historically, a person selected to represent others or carry out a public administrative role.
"The charter provided for selectmen to assess local taxes and oversee roads."
This historical sense is chiefly associated with older British and American municipal usage.
The conventional plural is selectmen, with the vowel remaining unchanged.
"Five selectmen took their oaths at the beginning of the municipal term."
In some New England towns, there is no mayor: everyday government is handled by a board of selectmen.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does selectman come from?
The word was formed in English from select and man, literally a chosen man. Its governmental sense developed from the earlier practice of selecting individuals to represent communities or perform administrative duties. The expression became especially prominent in the municipal government of colonial and early modern New England and survives in several state and local systems.
Related word forms
How selectman is actually used
The word is chiefly a historical or regional term in the United States, particularly in New England. It is still in official use in a number of towns, where selectmen may constitute the principal municipal governing board. It is uncommon in modern general British English.
Easily confused with selectman
A selectman is a municipal official, whereas selective describes someone or something that makes distinctions between alternatives.
A selectman is an elected or formally chosen official, while a selection committee is a body that chooses candidates for another role.