: a female servant in eastern Asia
especially : a Chinese nurse

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web In colonial days, many families had a lifelong helper known as an amah (after the Portuguese word for nurse). Time, 23 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'amah.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

Portuguese ama wet nurse, from Medieval Latin amma

First Known Use

1832, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of amah was in 1832

Dictionary Entries Near amah

Cite this Entry

“Amah.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/amah. Accessed 23 Mar. 2023.

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