statesman
Americannoun
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a person who is experienced in the art of government or versed in the administration of government affairs.
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a person who exhibits great wisdom and ability in directing the affairs of a government or in dealing with important public issues.
noun
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a political leader whose wisdom, integrity, etc, win great respect
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a person active and influential in the formulation of high government policy, such as a cabinet member
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a politician
Synonym Usage
See politician.
Gender
See -man.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of statesman
First recorded in 1585–95; state + 's 1 + -man, modeled on steersman; compare the phrase ship of state
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.
Letterman is enjoying his elder statesman status with an interview show on Netflix, “My Next Guest Needs No Introduction,” that he makes on his own schedule.
From Salon • May 21, 2026
If McIlroy’s not the face of golf, he is undeniably its statesman, a little grayer and wiser than a champion his age should be.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026
He stayed on as Clinton's chief adviser after he left office in 2000 and helped him transition from president into a jet-setting elder statesman.
From BBC • Feb. 26, 2026
That he’d become something, in other words, resembling a statesman.
From Slate • Feb. 24, 2026
Like Jefferson—indeed, like any self-respecting statesman of the era, save perhaps Burr—Adams had no intention of campaigning for the office.
From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
