Madison

American  

[mad-uh-suhn] / ˈmæd ə sən /

noun

1. Dolly or Dolley Dorothea Payne, 1768–1849, wife of James Madison.

2. James, 1751–1836, 4th president of the U.S. 1809–17.

3. a city in and the capital of Wisconsin, in the S part.

4. a city in NE New Jersey.

5. a town in S Connecticut.

6. a city in SE Indiana.

7. 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.

8. 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.

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madison ¹ British  

/ ˈmædɪsən /

noun

1. a type of cycle relay race

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Madison ² British  

/ ˈmædɪsən /

noun

1. 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

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Madison ³ British  

/ ˈmædɪsən /

noun

1. 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)

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Madison Cultural  

1. Capital of Wisconsin.

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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

“We are currently in a capacity land grab, and it’s clear that Meta is taking advantage of all options,” Bernstein analyst Madison Rezaei said in a note to clients.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 9, 2026

The Ashley Madison scandal was embarrassing but not illegal.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

Rent a Bike – Madison is one of the most bikable cities in the country, with more than 200 miles of trails.

From Salon • Mar. 31, 2026

Well over 11 million people registered to score tickets for Styles’s 30 shows in New York, according to Ticketmaster, a number far greater than the capacity of 30 Madison Square Gardens.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

Tall and stately, a beauty with black curls, Dolley Madison had become famous for her fashionable outfits—exotic turbans and low-cut dresses in the French style.

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