ward heeler


nounU.S. Politics.
  1. a minor politician who canvasses voters and does other chores for a political machine or party boss.

Origin of ward heeler

1
An Americanism dating back to 1885–90

Words Nearby ward heeler

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use ward heeler in a sentence

  • If you tried to vote some ward-heeler would challenge you and you'd like as not be hauled off to the lock-up.

    Bunker Bean | Harry Leon Wilson
  • "They've got my number," said the ward-heeler, in a convict whisper which was little more than a facial contortion.

  • In the thick of it he seemed to see the ward-heeler standing at his bedside and beating furiously upon a huge Chinese gong.

  • And Blount knew the disappearance was real, because the ward-heeler's own henchmen were searching for him.

  • From ward heeler to worshipful woman, this subterranean trickster is charged with selection of the tool that will turn the trick.

    Criminal Types | V. M. Masten

British Dictionary definitions for ward heeler

ward heeler

noun
  1. US politics derogatory a party worker who canvasses votes and performs chores for a political boss: Also called: heeler

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