# Burgess

/ˈbɝdʒəs/ (US) · /bˈɜːdʒɛs/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/burgess
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. a citizen with rights

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Formal

a person who lived in a town (a borough) and had full legal rights, such as the right to vote.

For teachers: an inhabitant of a borough or town who possesses full municipal rights and privileges. Historically used to distinguish citizens from those without property or status.

- In the old days, only a wealthy burgess could vote in the town elections.
- The charter of 1215 granted specific commercial privileges to every burgess residing within the city walls.

Usage: Usually refers to historical contexts before the 19th century.

Teaching tip: This word is almost exclusively found in historical novels or academic history texts. Students should not use it to describe modern citizens.

### 2. a political representative

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Formal

a person chosen to represent a town in a government group, like a parliament.

For teachers: a representative of a borough in the British Parliament or a member of the lower house of the legislature in colonial Virginia and Maryland.

- He was elected as a burgess to represent his town in the capital.
- The House of Burgesses in Virginia was the first elective governing body in the English overseas possessions.

Teaching tip: In American history, 'House of Burgesses' is a specific proper noun for the early Virginia legislature.

## Examples

- The burgess signed the town charter in 1620.
- Only the burgess of the city could vote in the local council elections.
- The rights of the burgess were central to the political struggles of the medieval period, distinguishing them from the peasantry and the nobility.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.