tiara

[ tee-ar-uh, -ahr-uh, -air-uh ]

noun

1. a jeweled, ornamental coronet worn by women.
2. Roman Catholic Church. a head-piece consisting of three coronets on top of which is an orb and a cross, worn by the pope, or carried before him during certain nonliturgical functions.
3. the position, authority, and dignity of the pope.
4. a high headdress, or turban, worn by the ancient Persians and others.

tiara

/ tɪˈɑːrə /

noun

1. a woman's semicircular jewelled headdress for formal occasions
2. a high headdress worn by Persian kings in ancient times
3. RC Church
   1. a headdress worn by the pope, consisting of a beehive-shaped diadem surrounded by three coronets
   2. the office or rank of pope

Derived Forms

• tiˈaraed, adjective

Other Words From

• ti·araed adjective
• ti·ara·like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tiara¹

1545–55; < Latin: headdress < Greek tiā́ra kind of turban

Word History and Origins

Origin of tiara¹

C16: via Latin from Greek, of Oriental origin

Example Sentences

They saw on their screens a member of a strange royal family—a cat wearing a tiara, with hearts for eyes.

From Popular-Science

I spent the next two and a half days feeling honored to wear a Wonder Woman tiara wrapped around my head.

From Time

I kept a toy store plastic tiara nearby and put it on my head when I needed to feel … something.

From Washington Post

Krishnan and his team designed their tiaras to create an “air curtain,” thanks to a series of funnels that direct rushing air around the sensor, acting as a sort of invisible forcefield for bugs.

From Popular-Science

A small slot opens in the tiara, bringing a burst of wind into the sensor.

From Popular-Science

I also catch a peek at an attractive blond woman wearing a light gold dress, a tiara and a sash that reads "Miss Golden Berries."

From The Daily Beast

And they both wore the wedding tiara, which echoed beautifully with both dresses.

From The Daily Beast

The tiara previously belonged to the Queen Mother who bequeathed it to Princess Margaret.

From The Daily Beast

It was the first time she has worn a tiara since the royal wedding.

From The Daily Beast

The tiara, designed by British designer Slim Barrett, is set to sell somewhere between £18,000 and £25,000.

From The Daily Beast

We don't even have real big prizes—just a dinky little spoon sitting up on the mantel-piece to excite us as if it was a tiara.

From Project Gutenberg

On her hair she wore a tiara of diamonds, only usually affected by those of royal blood.

From Project Gutenberg

She smiled, just as if she had been asked to inspect a tiara of diamonds with the ultimate view of purchasing it.

From Project Gutenberg

The three Hebrew children are generally exhibited with the oriental tiara and tunics.

From Project Gutenberg

The diadem was obscured by the tiara, and loyalty itself yielded to the superior potency of religious fear.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• headband
• headdress