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stardom

American  
[stahr-duhm] / ˈstɑr dəm /

noun

  1. the world or class of professional stars, as of the stage.

  2. the status of a star or preeminent performer.

stardom British  
/ ˈstɑːdəm /

noun

  1. the fame and prestige of being a star in films, sport, etc

  2. the world of celebrities

"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 stardom

First recorded in 1860–65; star + -dom

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.

Neither the city nor the theater are the stuff of a young woman’s dreams, but Stella takes tragedy and poverty in stride as she aims—mostly inaccurately—for stardom on the boards.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

Even with her new exposure, Rodrigo told The Times that she wasn’t fazed by her stardom.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 2, 2026

Lambert previously shared some words of encouragement to “American Idol” contestants after she lifted herself out of poverty and homelessness and rose to stardom while residing in a $3.5 million mansion.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 18, 2026

The book explores the singer’s upbringing in Alabama and his rise to stardom, including performing with the Commodores.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 11, 2026

Heck, most of the big-time lad actors stuttered and lisped their way to stardom.

From "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian" by Sherman Alexie

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.