Definition

A person who is the head of a town or city government in a Spanish-speaking area, responsible for local administration and law enforcement.

Example

The alcalde presided over the town meeting, addressing the concerns of the citizens.

Conversation

Did you hear about the new alcalde in our town?

Yeah, I heard he's making some big changes.

I wonder what his plans are for the community.

Me too! It will be interesting to see how he handles everything.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Alcalde originates from the Arabic "al-qāḍī" (meaning the judge or magistrate). The term was adopted into Spanish, where it refers to a local official or mayor, particularly in a town or village.

Memory Tip

Think of the Arabic word for judge, 'al-qāḍī', to remember that an 'alcalde' is a local official or magistrate.

Visually Confused Words