1. a chief magistrate or governor of a province in the former Dutch Republic
Usage: historical

Examples

• William of Orange served as stadtholder of several Dutch provinces.
• The stadtholder wielded considerable political and military power.
• Each province in the Dutch Republic could appoint its own stadtholder.
• The position of stadtholder was often hereditary within noble families.
• Maurice of Nassau was an influential stadtholder during the early 17th century.
• The stadtholder commanded the provincial military forces.