1. a citizen or inhabitant of a borough or walled town, especially one with full rights and privileges
Usage: historical; chiefly British
2. a representative of a borough or town in Parliament
Usage: historical; British
3. a member of the colonial Virginia House of Burgesses
Usage: historical; American

Examples

• In medieval times, a burgess enjoyed certain trading rights within the town walls.
• The burgesses of London held considerable influence over city affairs.
• Each borough elected two burgesses to represent their interests in Parliament.
• Thomas Jefferson served as a burgess in the Virginia House of Burgesses.
• The burgess class emerged as a powerful merchant group during the Renaissance.