Etymology
Circa 1300; from Middle English maire, from Old French maire (“head of a city or town government”) (thirteenth century), from Latin maior (“bigger, greater, superior”), comparative of magnus (“big, great”). Doublet of major.
Noun
mayor (plural mayors)
- The chief executive of the municipal government of a city, borough, etc., formerly usually appointed as a caretaker by European royal courts but now usually appointed or elected locally.
- (chiefly US) A largely ceremonial position in some municipal governments that presides over the city council while a contracted city manager holds actual executive power.
Derived terms
- mayoral, mayorial
- mayoress
- mayorship
Credits
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