aedile

American  

[ee-dahyl] / ˈi daɪl /

Or edile

noun

Roman History.

1. one of a board of magistrates in charge of public buildings, streets, markets, games, etc.

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aedile British  

/ ˈiːdaɪl /

noun

1. a magistrate of ancient Rome in charge of public works, games, buildings, and roads

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Other Word Forms

• aedileship
  noun
• aedilitian
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of aedile

1570–80; < Latin aedīlis, equivalent to aedi- (stem of aedēs; see aedicule) + -īlis -ile

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

aedile

Scipio was elected aedile, one of four magistrates responsible for Rome’s public buildings and religious games, at 22.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 16, 2025

He escaped death on the discovery of the conspiracy, and was afterward aedile, and candidate for the praetorship, but was driven into exile for bribery.

From Conspiracy of Catiline and the Jurgurthine War by John Selby Watson

During the reign of Commodus, Dio practised as an advocate at the Roman bar, and held the offices of aedile and quaestor.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 8, Slice 5 "Dinard" to "Dodsworth" by Various

Aulus Vettius Firmus writes up his election address and appeals to the pilicrepi or ball-players for their votes for him as aedile.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 12, Slice 3 "Gordon, Lord George" to "Grasses" by Various

At which words when Casca was surprised, the other said laughing, "How come you to be so rich of a sudden, that you should stand to be chosen aedile?"

From Plutarch: Lives of the noble Grecians and Romans by Arthur Hugh Clough