/ ˈɔːldəmən; NAmE -dərm-/ noun ( pl. -men / -mən; NAmE /)
1.
(in England and Wales in the past) a senior member of a town, borough or county council, below the rank of a mayor , chosen by other members of the council
2.
( feminine al·der·woman , pl. -women / -wɪmɪn; NAmE /) (in the US, Canada and Australia) an elected member of a town or city council :
Alderman Tim Evans
For more information see the Cultural Guide
••
WORD ORIGIN
Old English aldormann (originally in the general sense a man of high rank ), from aldor , ealdor chief, patriarch (from ald old ) + man . Later the sense warden of a guild arose; then, as the guilds became identified with the ruling municipal body, local magistrate, municipal officer .