marquess

1 of 2

noun (1)

mar·​quess ˈmär-kwəs 

variants or marquis

ˈmär-kwəs 

mär-ˈkē

plural marquesses or marquises ˈmär-kwə-səz  or marquis mär-ˈkē(z) 

1

: a nobleman of hereditary rank in Europe and Japan

2

: a member of the British peerage ranking below a duke and above an earl

marquessate

ˈmär-kwə-sət 

noun

or marquisate

ˈmär-kwə-zət 

-sət

marquise

2 of 2

noun (2)

mar·​quise mär-ˈkēz 

plural marquises mär-ˈkēz 

-ˈkē-zəz

1

: marchioness

2

: marquee

3

: a gem or a ring setting or bezel usually elliptical in shape but with pointed ends

Examples of marquess in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

So far, so normal for the daughter of a marquess (the late Lord Caterham). — Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 15 Jan. 2026

And while King Charles did not make Kerry a duke, an earl, a marquess, viscount or a baron, the knighthood was royal stuff enough. — Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 4 Dec. 2025

Noun

The marquise blue diamond creation is courtesy of his own fine jewelry house, Didris. — Madeline Hirsch, InStyle, 15 Mar. 2026

In the second photo, Gomez rests her left hand on her new husband's, her marquise diamond engagement ring glinting in the light. — Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 28 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English marquis, markis, from Anglo-French marquys, markys, from marche march

Noun (2)

French, feminine of marquis

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1503, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

marquess

noun

mar·​quess ˈmär-kwəs 

1

: a nobleman of hereditary rank in Europe and Japan

2

: a British nobleman ranking below a duke and above an earl