Pronunciation: [mˈe͡ə] (IPA) 
The spelling of the word "mayor" is straightforward, with only three phonemes: /m/, /eɪ/ and /ə/. The first sound, /m/, is the bilabial nasal consonant that's present at the beginning of the word. The second, /eɪ/, is the diphthong that often represents the "long A" sound, and the third, /ə/, is the schwa ə, an unstressed vowel sound that is common in American English. Overall, "mayor" is a simple word with an easy-to-pronounce spelling.
A mayor is an individual who holds the highest elected office in a municipality or city. They are an elected official responsible for governing and leading the local government. A mayor symbolizes the executive authority and acts as the chief executive officer of a city.
The mayor's primary duty involves representing the municipality and its residents, both within and outside the city. They often serve as the official spokesperson for the local government, promoting the city's interests and addressing issues that affect its community. Mayors often engage in diplomatic relations with other cities, both nationally and internationally, in order to foster cooperation and establish beneficial connections.
Furthermore, a mayor is entrusted with numerous administrative and managerial responsibilities. They oversee the functioning of municipal departments, ensure the enforcement of laws and regulations, and propose policies and plans for community development and improvement. The mayor also plays a pivotal role in the budgetary process, as they are involved in creating and approving the municipal budget. Additionally, they may possess the authority to appoint or dismiss key officials within the local government and represent the executive branch in the legislative process.
In summary, a mayor is an elected official who serves as the chief executive officer of a city or municipality, responsible for governing, representing, and managing the local government while working towards the betterment of the community they serve.
The chief magistrate of a city or corporation.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "mayor" originates from the Old French "maire", which was derived from the Latin word "major". In Latin, "major" means "greater" or "superior". The term was used to refer to a higher-ranking official or a person with higher authority. Over time, "maire" evolved into "mayor" in English and came to specifically denote the head of a municipality or a city.
