selectman

American

[si-lekt-muhn] / sɪˈlɛkt mən /

noun

(in most New England states) one of a board of town officers chosen to manage certain public affairs.

selectman British

/ sɪˈlɛktmən /

noun

any of the members of the local boards of most New England towns

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

selectmen

plural

Etymology

Origin of selectman

1625–35, select (adj.) + -man

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.

As selectman, he threatens to co-opt it using eminent domain.

From Slate • Apr. 14, 2025

His funeral in Greenwich, Connecticut, a town where he was once the first selectman, drew family, friends and politicians from both parties.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 10, 2023

He was elected to the Connecticut General Assembly in 1962 and was first selectman of Greenwich before winning seats in the U.S.

From New York Times • Jun. 28, 2023

"You guys are in a quandary. So are we," selectman Robert Steenson said.

From Fox News • Aug. 4, 2021

“Then watch your words. May I remind you I am a selectman in this town? I am no traitor!”

From "The Witch of Blackbird Pond" by Elizabeth George Speare

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023