statesman

noun

states·​man ˈstāts-mən How to pronounce statesman (audio)
1
: one versed in the principles or art of government
especially : one actively engaged in conducting the business of a government or in shaping its policies
2
: a wise, skillful, and respected political leader
statesmanlike adjective
statesmanly adjective
statesmanship noun

Examples of statesman in a Sentence

He was a soldier and statesman.
Recent Examples on the Web The illiberal Hungarian prime minister is the bete noire of the European Union, a beloved hero to a major segment of the U.S. right and most vocal statesman among nationalists in the West. Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2024 Adam Schiff is a dedicated statesman but seems separated from younger voters’ concerns. Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 16 Feb. 2024 Back then, the late, great American statesman traversed the Greater Middle East and laid the foundations for peace between Israel and Egypt. Matthew Continetti, National Review, 10 Feb. 2024 The first: Dave Winfield At age 72, Winfield is the elder statesman of the group, the one whose footsteps both Molitor and Morris followed. Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 24 Jan. 2024 In ancient Greece and Rome, stories abound about Alexander’s beloved horse, Bucephalus, and Crassus’s esteemed eel was said to come when the wealthy statesman called. Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 11 Jan. 2024 This week's episode of The C.L. Brown Show features Richmond Times-Dispatch columnist David Teel and the elder statesman of ACC media coverage. The Courier-Journal, 3 Jan. 2024 Our Cold War statesman was an intellectual child of enormous shooting wars. Christian Schneider, National Review, 21 Dec. 2023 These problems require statesmen of courage and character, and a strong civil society to meet them. The Editors, National Review, 23 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'statesman.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1592, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of statesman was in 1592

Dictionary Entries Near statesman

Cite this Entry

“Statesman.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/statesman. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

statesman

noun
states·​man ˈstāt-smən How to pronounce statesman (audio)
: a person engaged in fixing the policies and conducting the affairs of a government
especially : one having unusual wisdom and skill in such matters
statesmanlike adjective
statesmanly adjective
statesmanship noun

More from Merriam-Webster on statesman

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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