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.

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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

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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

And it keeps its scale small: Warring nations or governments are barely discussed, the reckless conflict of statesmen taken almost as a given.

From The Wall Street Journal

The historian who writes about decline and fall will dwell on the misdeeds of statesmen; the novelist focuses on family.

From The Wall Street Journal

In it, he compared himself to one of the great statesmen of ancient Athens: “I have terminated my political career, and I come, like Themistocles, to throw myself on the hospitality of the British people.”

From The Wall Street Journal

It is one of 12 statues on or around Parliament Square, most of well-known statesmen such as Abraham Lincoln and Nelson Mandela.

From BBC

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

Related Words

• lawmaker
• legislator
• politician