Circa 1300 from Old Frenchmaire ("head of a city or town government") (13th century), from Latinmaior ("bigger, greater, superior"), comparative of magnus ("big, great").
The leader of a city, or a municipality, sometimes just a figurehead and sometimes a powerful position. In some countries, the mayor is elected by the citizens or by the city council.
2003, Mary Ruwart, Healing our world in an age of aggression - Page 374The Libertarian mayor of Big Water, Utah, recently slashed property taxes in half and even repealed his own salary!
2011, Michael Ryan, The Heart's Location, p 32To assist him in his task Paul was joined by Ron Adams, who had been a three-term Libertarian mayor in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
By restriction, a male municipal leader
(historical) The steward of some royal courts, particularly in early Medieval France
