maid of honor
Americannoun
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an unmarried woman who is the chief attendant of a bride.
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an unmarried woman, usually of noble birth, attendant on a queen or princess.
Etymology
Origin of maid of honor
First recorded in 1580–90
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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.
The Knicks were up by about 10 points during the third quarter when the maid of honor showed Michael a livestream on her phone.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 12, 2026
Don’t let this maid of honor, or the stress of being a bridesmaid, rob the ceremony of its cheer.
From MarketWatch ● Dec. 8, 2025
Their two daughters, Nia and Rena Lovelis, both in their mid-20s, will serve as “best man” and maid of honor.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 28, 2025
Conrad was maid of honor at Cooper’s wedding, but, as Cooper confessed on a recent podcast, they aren’t friends anymore.
From Salon ● Jul. 7, 2025
Next, Mr. Cantor and I delivered the orchid corsages to the bride and her maid of honor.
From "The View From Saturday" by E.L. Konigsburg
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.