Madison

American

[mad-uh-suhn] / ˈmæd ə sən /

noun

Dolly or Dolley Dorothea Payne, 1768–1849, wife of James Madison.
James, 1751–1836, 4th president of the U.S. 1809–17.
a city in and the capital of Wisconsin, in the S part.
a city in NE New Jersey.
a town in S Connecticut.
a city in SE Indiana.
a river in SW Montana and NW Wyoming, flowing N to join the Jefferson and Gallatin rivers and form the Missouri River. 183 miles (294 km) long.
a dance in which the participants stand side by side in a line while one person, acting as leader, calls out various steps, each letter of the word “Madison” signaling a specific step.

Madison ¹ British

/ ˈmædɪsən /

noun

James. 1751–1836, US statesman; 4th president of the US (1809–17). He helped to draft the US Constitution and Bill of Rights. His presidency was dominated by the War of 1812

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

madison ² British

/ ˈmædɪsən /

noun

a type of cycle relay race

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Madison ³ British

/ ˈmædɪsən /

noun

a city in the US, in S central Wisconsin, on an isthmus between Lakes Mendota and Monona: the state capital. Pop: 218 432 (2003 est)

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Madison Cultural

Capital of Wisconsin.

Discover More

Location of the main branch of the University of Wisconsin.

Etymology

Origin of madison

C20: from Madison Square Gardens in New York City, early venue for such races

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

A conversation about the deeper questions behind a wedding budget: We’re still thinking about Taylor Swift’s Madison Square Garden nuptials!

From Slate • Jul. 10, 2026

The accolades come just five days after Swift married beau Travis Kelce in an extravagant — yet secretive — Manhattan affair at Madison Square Garden.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 9, 2026

That means easy access to excellent hiking, mountain biking and guided fly-fishing excursions on sought-after rivers and streams, including the Madison and Gallatin rivers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 8, 2026

Campaign spokesperson Madison Cercy did not answer the questions from the news organizations.

From Salon • Jul. 7, 2026

Elected in 1816, Monroe was another slaveholding Virginia neighbor of Jefferson and Madison who would bring enslaved people to Washington.

From "In the Shadow of Liberty" by Kenneth C. Davis

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023