Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

marchioness

American  
[mahr-shuh-nis, mahr-shuh-nes] / ˈmɑr ʃə nɪs, ˌmɑr ʃəˈnɛs /

noun

British.
  1. marquise.


marchioness British  
/ ˈmɑːʃənɪs, ˌmɑːʃəˈnɛs /

noun

  1. the wife or widow of a marquis

  2. a woman who holds the rank of marquis

"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

Gender

See -ess.

Etymology

Origin of marchioness

1770–80; < Medieval Latin marchiōnissa, equivalent to marchiōn- (stem of marchiō ) marquis + -issa -ess

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 marchioness is to stand trial accused of dangerous driving after a crash involving four vehicles.

From BBC

“The best I can do for you is marchioness.”

From Washington Post

An exquisite garden on site, designed by the marchioness of Salisbury, pays homage to him.

From New York Times

Titian's portrait of Isabella d' Este, marchioness of Mantua, which hangs in Vienna's Kunsthistorisches Museum, shows her as a twentysomething beauty, soft skin unblemished by wrinkles, in the bloom of youth.

From The Guardian

Finally the bigoted marchioness yielded, and for a round sum of money, in 1512, permitted the exiles to return and dwell in peace.

From Project Gutenberg