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 ( baron, -ess ); replacing Middle English barnesse, from Anglo-French, Old French

Example Sentences

But the balancing act ended when she read from the Old Testament—Jewish Scripture—on a day of national celebration, and the 13-year-old daughter of a baroness loyal to the Nazis informed on her.

From The Wall Street Journal

“We hoped Ashton would give up, but he had his spies watching us, always. Some awful baroness . . . an earl of something or other . . . ,” Mater Lumley said.

From Literature

“Children, do you know what sort of sound chickens make? Show the baroness, please.”

From Literature

Penelope hoped that the presence of her husband did not mean the baroness was now being entertained at the house as well.

From Literature

Alexander, who now sits as a baroness at the House of Lords, said she felt "punished for speaking out" and that the university "failed to fix the roof when the sun shone".

From BBC