bridesmaid

American  

[brahydz-meyd] / ˈbraɪdzˌmeɪd /

noun

1. a young woman who attends the bride at a wedding ceremony.

2. Informal. a person, group, etc., that is in a secondary position, never quite attains a goal, etc..

   Bridesmaids for 12 seasons, the Eagles finally won the championship.

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bridesmaid British  

/ ˈbraɪdzˌmeɪd /

noun

1. a girl or young unmarried woman who attends a bride at her wedding Compare matron of honour maid of honour

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Etymology

Origin of bridesmaid

First recorded in 1545–55; bride ¹ + 's ¹ + maid

Example Sentences

Fighting back tears as she placed flowers at the scene on Monday, Joanne said Sarah – who was a bridesmaid at her wedding – "left a mark with absolutely everyone she met".

From BBC

Do you know of any places where I could find a cute bridesmaid gown for under $100, or do you have any ideas on how I could cut the costs of attending this wedding?

From MarketWatch

This contest, for weeks, was instead a race between an outfit, Reform UK, which barely existed a few years back and another, Plaid Cymru - until now the perpetual bridesmaid in contests in Caerphilly.

From BBC

On Facebook and elsewhere, buyers are venting about hundreds of dollars due on mouse pads, makeup and bridesmaid dresses.

From Los Angeles Times

Always the bridesmaid, never the bride is a phrase that could have been invented for director Paul Thomas Anderson.

From BBC