Madonna

American  

[muh-don-uh] / məˈdɒn ə /

noun

1. Usually the Madonna the Virgin Mary.

2. a picture or statue representing the Virgin Mary.

3. Archaic. Often madonna an Italian title of formal address to a woman.

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Madonna ¹ British  

/ məˈdɒnə /

noun

1. RC Church a designation of the Virgin Mary

2. (sometimes not capital) a picture or statue of the Virgin Mary

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Madonna ² British  

/ məˈdɒnə /

noun

1. full name Madonna Louise Veronica Ciccone. born 1958, US rock singer and film actress. Her records include "Like a Virgin" (1985), "Like a Prayer" (1989), Ray of Light (1998), Music (2000), and MDNA (2012). Her films include Desperately Seeking Susan (1985) and Evita (1996)

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Madonna ¹ Cultural  

1. A work of art depicting Mary, the mother of Jesus, especially one that shows her holding the infant Jesus; also a term for Mary herself. Madonna is Italian for “my lady.”

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Madonna ² Cultural  

1. An American pop singer known for her many incarnations, ranging from an early “Material Girl” to a movie star (Evita) to a mother and wife. Many consider Madonna a promotional genius for her ability to reinvent herself.

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Etymology

Origin of Madonna

First recorded in 1575–85; from Italian, from Old Italian ma donna “my lady”; see origin at donna ( def. )

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Madonna

Poland's most popular Marian devotion site is a painting known as the "Black Madonna", in Czestochowa, southern Poland, that attracts between 3.5 and five million pilgrims every year.

From Barron's ● Jul. 27, 2026

There was the longest half-time in history, featuring performances from artists including Madonna and Justin Bieber, a pre-kick-off speech from Hollywood A-lister Tom Cruise, an appearance by US president Donald Trump and fireworks.

From BBC ● Jul. 20, 2026

The tournament’s first halftime show featured an eclectic lineup including Madonna, Justin Bieber, BTS, Shakira, Chris Martin, Burna Boy and, in one of the day’s more unexpected highlights, the Muppets.

From Salon ● Jul. 19, 2026

Director Penny Marshall’s affectionate look at a women’s professional baseball league during World War II. The ensemble cast includes Geena Davis, Madonna, and Tom Hanks as the hard-to-please manager of the Rockford Peaches.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 11, 2026

The whitewashed walls were adorned with a picture of the Madonna and Child that usually hung in Ida’s kitchen.”

From "The Thief Lord" by Cornelia Funke

Related Words

• madame