councilman

American  

[koun-suhl-muhn] / ˈkaʊn səl mən /

noun

plural

councilmen

1. a member of a council, especially the local legislative body of a city.

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councilman British  

/ ˈkaʊnsəlmən /

noun

1. a member of a council, esp of a town or city; councillor

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Gender

Is councilman gender-neutral? See -man.

Other Word Forms

• councilmanic adjective

Etymology

Origin of councilman

First recorded in 1650–60; council + man

Example Sentences

Arias, the Fresno councilman and a former farmworker himself, acknowledged that Chavez has “been an idol to us as a community, because he fought and advocated for ourselves and our parents who are farmworkers.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 18, 2026

But Morano, the councilman, is adamant that "this is not just a place that should be known for landfills and mobsters."

From Barron's • Feb. 13, 2026

Mike Bonin, a former city councilman, said he believed Price’s alleged malfeasance should be handled by the city’s Ethics Commission — not criminal prosecutors.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 23, 2026

A few years later, Kast won a seat as a local councilman before becoming a congressman.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 15, 2025

C.P. watched dumbfounded as the councilman waded through traffic like a man crossing a fast-flowing river, finally emerging on the other side and then hurrying down the sidewalk.

From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson

Related Words

• legislator