What does selectmen mean?
Selectmen are elected municipal officials who serve on the boards that administer towns in New England and, in some communities, elsewhere in the United States. Their responsibilities can include managing town property, overseeing roads and public works, arranging elections, and handling other local government business. The name combines “select” and “man,” reflecting the historical practice of choosing a group of townsmen to conduct public affairs. Although the form “selectmen” is plural, speakers often use it collectively to refer to the board as an institution rather than emphasizing the number of individual members. The position remains especially characteristic of New England’s town-meeting tradition. In everyday discussion, the selectmen are commonly treated as the town’s principal governing body, so that news of their decisions may substantially affect local policy.
plural nounSelectmen are the members of a town's board of selectmen, especially in New England. They are elected officials who oversee various aspects of local government and represent the town.
- Members of the board of selectmen, especially in a New England town; collectively, the town's elected board of officials.
"The selectmen approved the plan to repair the town hall."
"The selectmen held a public hearing on the proposed zoning changes."
"Town meeting voters selected three selectmen to serve another term."
“Selectmen” is already the standard plural of “selectman” and is also used collectively for the town board.
"Two selectmen were elected to fill the opening on the board."
In many New England towns, the selectmen are not merely advisers: they form an elected municipal government whose name comes from their role as chosen town representatives.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does selectmen come from?
The word developed from “selectman,” a combination of “select” and “man” that referred to a chosen representative or magistrate. Its political use became established in the English-speaking colonies, particularly in New England, where towns were administered by boards of elected selectmen. The longer word “selectmen” is the regular plural of “selectman.” Many related English words, including “selection,” “elective,” and “selector,” descend through Latin forms based on seligere, “to choose.”
Related word forms
How selectmen is actually used
The term is most strongly associated with New England town government. In ordinary modern usage, “selectmen” is the plural of “selectman,” although it may also be used collectively when referring to the board as a group.
Easily confused with selectmen
A selectman is one member of a town board, while selectmen refers to the members collectively.