Definition of "mayor" in English

noun

1. The chief executive of the municipal government of a city, borough, etc., formerly (historical) usually appointed as a caretaker by European royal courts but now usually appointed or elected locally.

2. (historical) Ellipsis of mayor of the palace, the royal stewards of the Frankish Empire.

3. (historical) Synonym of mair, various former officials in the Kingdom of Scotland.

4. (Ireland, rare, obsolete) A member of a city council.

5. (historical, obsolete) A high justice, an important judge.

6. (chiefly US) A largely ceremonial position in some municipal governments that presides over the city council while a contracted city manager holds actual executive power.

7. (figurative, humorous) A local VIP, a muckamuck or big shot reckoned to lead some local group.

   • In some parts the burlesque civic official was designated ‘Mayor of the Pig Market’.
   • The Mayor of Castro Street, that was Harvey's unofficial title.