stewardess

[ stoo-er-dis, styoo- ]

noun

1. a woman flight attendant.
2. a woman who attends to the comfort of passengers on a ship, train, or bus.

stewardess

/ ˌstjʊəˈdɛs; ˈstjʊədɪs /

noun

1. a woman who performs a steward's job on an aircraft or ship

Gender Note

See -ess.

Word History and Origins

Origin of stewardess¹

1625–35 for earlier sense “female steward”; 1930–35 stewardess fordef 1; steward + -ess

Example Sentences

As the ’60s turned into the ’70s, stewardesses began bringing grievances to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and, eventually, winning their cases.

From Washington Post

I have a conversation with one stewardess about our favorite places around the world.

From The Daily Beast

The stewardess conferred with the captain,” Caro said, “and they found us this little hotel in Paris.

From The Daily Beast

Reluctantly, the stewardess fetches the cord, and Willie finishes lashing the vintage Gibsons into position.

From The Daily Beast

Willie signals to the stewardess that he needs some help with his tray.

From The Daily Beast

Irritably, he complies, but when the stewardess moves on, he reclines the chair again, muttering balefully under his breath.

From The Daily Beast

After that the little girl staid mostly with the stewardess, and was comparatively happy.

From Project Gutenberg

He drew back hastily and threw a quick glance at the stewardess.

From Project Gutenberg

But she soon cheered up and asked the stewardess to show her to her cabin.

From Project Gutenberg

On entering the main waiting room of the airport, the young stewardess looked quickly about her.

From Project Gutenberg

His questions, never very personal, were about the life an airplane stewardess leads.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• flight attendant
• hostess
• waiter
• waitress