headmistress

American  

[hed-mis-tris] / ˈhɛdˈmɪs trɪs /

noun

1. a woman in charge of a private school.

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headmistress British  

/ ˌhɛdˈmistrəs /

noun

1. Gender-neutral form: head teacher.  a female principal of a school

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Gender

See -ess.

Other Word Forms

• headmistress-ship noun
• headmistressship noun

Etymology

Origin of headmistress

First recorded in 1870–75; head + mistress

Example Sentences

“Of course, clubs aren’t clubs as they used to be,” said Agnes Nugent, 76, a retired headmistress, who joined the Rand Club in the early 1990s as one of its first female members.

From The Wall Street Journal

She was the headmistress of a Christian boarding school for girls that promoted traditional values while ostensibly accepting the changes required by the new order.

From The Wall Street Journal

“She is an excellent headmistress,” Penelope said in all seriousness, but for some reason the remark made her parents laugh.

From Literature

“Remember, a sound education is the very best present of all,” Miss Charlotte Mortimer, the headmistress, would say, clapping her hands to signal an end to the festivities.

From Literature

“It is from Miss Charlotte Mortimer, my former headmistress at school.”

From Literature