Madonna

American  

[muh-don-uh] / məˈdɒn ə /

noun

1. Usually the Madonna the Virgin Mary.

2. a picture or statue representing the Virgin Mary.

3. Archaic. Often madonna an Italian title of formal address to a woman.

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Madonna ¹ British  

/ məˈdɒnə /

noun

1. RC Church a designation of the Virgin Mary

2. (sometimes not capital) a picture or statue of the Virgin Mary

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Madonna ² British  

/ məˈdɒnə /

noun

1. full name Madonna Louise Veronica Ciccone. born 1958, US rock singer and film actress. Her records include "Like a Virgin" (1985), "Like a Prayer" (1989), Ray of Light (1998), Music (2000), and MDNA (2012). Her films include Desperately Seeking Susan (1985) and Evita (1996)

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Madonna ¹ Cultural  

1. A work of art depicting Mary, the mother of Jesus, especially one that shows her holding the infant Jesus; also a term for Mary herself. Madonna is Italian for “my lady.”

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Madonna ² Cultural  

1. An American pop singer known for her many incarnations, ranging from an early “Material Girl” to a movie star (Evita) to a mother and wife. Many consider Madonna a promotional genius for her ability to reinvent herself.

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Etymology

Origin of Madonna

First recorded in 1575–85; from Italian, from Old Italian ma donna “my lady”; see origin at donna ( def. )

Example Sentences

He remembers his outrage as a child watching Britain’s “Top of the Pops” and realizing that pop artists like Madonna and Bananarama were lip-syncing in their performances.

From Salon • May 15, 2026

Madonna, Shakira and K-pop boy band BTS will co-headline the Super Bowl-style half-time show at this summer's World Cup final.

From BBC • May 14, 2026

Leonard Bernstein composed in one booth; Madonna has said she once worked there as a coat-check girl and was fired; two Picasso drawings hang among its many artworks.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 12, 2026

The Met Gala hosted some of music's most glittering stars: Madonna, Cher and Stevie Nicks are all in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

From Barron's • May 5, 2026

Now, Manman sat with the Madonna pressed against her chest, her eyes staring ahead, as though she was looking into the future.

From "Krik? Krak!" by Edwidge Danticat

Related Words

• madame