mayoral
Americanadjective
Etymology
Origin of mayoral
Explanation
Anything mayoral has to do with the official leader of a city or town, or with the office itself. In a mayoral election, candidates are vying to become the highest-ranking city official. Mayoral is from mayor, which derives from the Old French maire, "head of a city or town government," and a Latin root meaning "great." This adjective is used to talk about things related to the mayor, from the mayoral residence and mayoral duties to mayoral election campaigns and speeches. If you have mayoral ambitions, that means you dream of heading up your town's government one day. The word mayoral can also be used as a noun when referring to any overseer or foreman, especially of a ranch or an estate in Spain or Mexico in the 1800s.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“Through meaningful street outreach, stabilization options and supportive housing, the Mamdani administration will help New Yorkers rebuild their lives with the dignity, care and stability they deserve,” a mayoral spokesperson said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 26, 2026
The races include more than 40 local ballot measures, three dozen governor elections and many mayoral and other county contests that could increase restrictions on data-center development.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 26, 2026
It would mean a mayoral body taking control of how Oxford Street was developed while removing planning powers for the area from Westminster Council.
From BBC ● Oct. 24, 2026
The delayed automated people mover at LAX, lags in street improvements and road safety initiatives are some of the challenges that mayoral incumbent Karen Bass or challenger Nithya Raman will face next year.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 21, 2026
His party was pressuring him for the mayoral race.
From "Native Speaker" by Chang-rae Lee
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
