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Synonyms

queen mother

American  

noun

  1. a queen dowager who is mother of a reigning sovereign.

queen mother British  

noun

  1. the widow of a former king who is also the mother of the reigning sovereign

"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

Etymology

Origin of queen mother

First recorded in 1570–80

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.

"I love the monarchy so I will wear this to mourn the queen mother."

From Barron's • Oct. 31, 2025

Camilla will then be anointed, in a form similar to that of Queen Elizabeth, the queen mother, in 1937.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 29, 2023

There was also the position of the kentake, or queen mother.

From Textbooks • Apr. 19, 2023

Bassett, who portrays the grieving queen mother in Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther” sequel, has been nominated for a supporting actress Oscar.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 24, 2023

Above our heads, gulls wheel and cry, unaware that the queen mother nearly drowned just a dozen yards below.

From "The Inquisitor's Tale" by Adam Gidwitz

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.