madam

[mad-uhm]

noun

plural

mesdames, madams 

1. (often initial capital letter),  a polite term of address to a woman, originally used only to a woman of rank or authority.

   Madam President; May I help you, madam?

2. the woman in charge of a household.

   Is the madam at home?

3. the woman in charge of a house of prostitution.

madam

/ ˈmædəm /

noun

1. a polite term of address for a woman, esp one considered to be of relatively high social status

2. a woman who runs a brothel

3. informal,  a precocious or pompous little girl

4. informal,  the lady of the house

Word History and Origins

Origin of madam¹

1250–1300; Middle English madame < Old French, originally ma dame my lady; dame

Word History and Origins

Origin of madam¹

C13: from Old French ma dame my lady

Example Sentences

"How would madam like her hair today?" teased Mrs Bennett, combing the hair of one of her four-year-old charges.

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Usually, I just say, ‘I would take off my sunglasses, madam, but my pants would fall down.’

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These days they joke that Maya will call Kamala “big sister general” until she earns the title of madam president.

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This dragon dance is extremely costly, as everyone from Rhaenyra to a pleasure house’s madam warned us it would be.

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“The madam of the house told me I should never do that, to eat from the same plate as them. It was like I was a dog,” she told me.

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Related Words

• madame