IPA: /ˈɒm.bʌdz.mən/
KK: /ˈɑmˌbʌdz.mən/
A person who looks into complaints and helps resolve issues, often acting as a mediator between individuals and organizations.
The ombudsman helped the students resolve their issues with the university administration.
Ombudsman → The word originates from Swedish 'ombudsman', where 'ombud' means 'representative' and 'man' means 'person'. An ombudsman is a person who represents the interests of others, typically in a legal or administrative context.
Think of a 'representative' ('ombud') who is a 'person' ('man') helping others with their concerns. This helps you remember that an ombudsman is someone who advocates for others.