statesman

American  

[steyts-muhn] / ˈsteɪts mən /

noun

plural

statesmen

1. a person who is experienced in the art of government or versed in the administration of government affairs.

2. a person who exhibits great wisdom and ability in directing the affairs of a government or in dealing with important public issues.

---

statesman British  

/ ˈsteɪtsmən /

noun

1. a political leader whose wisdom, integrity, etc, win great respect

2. a person active and influential in the formulation of high government policy, such as a cabinet member

3. a politician

---

Related Words

See politician.

Gender

See -man.

Other Word Forms

• statesman-like adjective
• statesmanlike adjective
• statesmanly adjective
• statesmanship noun
• stateswoman noun
• superstatesman noun
• unstatesmanlike adjective

Etymology

Origin of statesman

First recorded in 1585–95; state + 's ¹ + -man, modeled on steersman; compare the phrase ship of state

Example Sentences

Few statesmen fail to identify their own opinions as common sense, and Mr. Manchin is no exception.

From The Wall Street Journal

Howard Wilkinson, now 82 and a long-time elder statesman of the game, was the last Englishman to lift the title with Leeds United in 1991-92, but in the league's previous guise as the First Division.

From BBC

"The Congolese statesman said that President Joao Lourenco put forward "some proposals" which he found "very interesting" and which, in terms of the search for peace in his country, could "contribute significantly"," the statement said.

From Barron's

Even Nick Saban, the sport’s elder statesman, pronounced it all but dead.

From The Wall Street Journal

Even more remarkably, Will’s thought processes have resembled the French statesman Talleyrand’s description of the Bourbon kings: “They forgot nothing and they learned nothing.”

From Salon

Related Words

• lawmaker
• legislator
• politician