baroness

American  

[bar-uh-nis] / ˈbær ə nɪs /

noun

1. the wife of a baron.

2. a woman holding a baronial title in her own right.

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baroness British  

/ ˈbærənɪs /

noun

1. the wife or widow of a baron

2. a woman holding the rank of baron in her own right

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Gender

What's the difference between baroness and baron? See -ess.

Etymology

Origin of baroness

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English baronnesse from Anglo-French, Middle French ( see baron, -ess); replacing Middle English barnesse, from Anglo-French, Old French

Example Sentences

Baroness Grey-Thompson, who opposes the bill, said peers had been scrutinising the bill line by line and it was a "red herring" to criticise the number of amendments tabled.

From BBC • Apr. 23, 2026

Inquiry chair Baroness Hallett praised the vaccine programme, pointing to research which suggested it saved more than 475,000 lives after more than 90% of people aged over 12 came forward for a jab.

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026

Inquiry chair Baroness Hallett says it was the single-most important treatment to have been used during the pandemic.

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026

Last month, Baroness Bull asked the government what steps were being taken to raise awareness of dyscalculia among educators, including special educational needs co-ordinators, and to ensure dyscalculic pupils had specialist support.

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

I was dubbed the Black Pimpernel, a somewhat derogatory adaptation of Baroness Orczy’s fictional character the Scarlet Pimpernel, who daringly evaded capture during the French Revolution.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela