city father

American  

noun

1. any of the officials or prominent citizens of a city.

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city father British  

noun

1. a person who is active or prominent in the public affairs of a city, such as an alderman

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Etymology

Origin of city father

An Americanism dating back to 1835–45

Example Sentences

In Cotati, Paulekas morphed into a bizarro city father: He became politically active, regularly speaking out at City Council meetings.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 22, 2022

One city father simply turns to another and whispers gleefully: "See, he has a natural flair for politics."

From Time Magazine Archive

Some 70,000 people call it home, but only a city father could love it.

From Time Magazine Archive

In attempting to furnish the necessary stimuli and opportunities for the development of his boy, the farmer has—if he will only use it—a great advantage over the city father.

From Farm Boys and Girls by McKeever, William Arch

And a city father answered her, 'Of course.'

From The Three Brides, Love in a Cottage, and Other Tales by Durivage, Francis A. (Francis Alexander)