baroness

[bar-uh-nis]

noun

1. the wife of a baron.

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

baroness

/ ˈbærənɪs /

noun

1. the wife or widow of a baron

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

Gender Note

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of baroness¹

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.

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“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.

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“Is that any way to greet a baroness?”

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

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The baroness described the court ruling as "nothing less than an establishment win for the government in a case that was too big to lose".

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