bridesmaid

noun

brides·​maid ˈbrīdz-ˌmād 

1

: a woman who is an attendant of a bride

2

: one that finishes just behind the winner

Examples of bridesmaid in a Sentence

I was a bridesmaid in my sister's wedding.

Recent Examples on the Web

Last year, New York demi-couture and bridal designer Alexandra Pijut took on the task of designing 15 looks for her own spring 2025 wedding weekend, including multiple ones for herself and striking gowns for her mother, grandmother and bridesmaids. —Emily Mercer, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2025

Her older sister, 29, who is getting married next spring, asked her to be a bridesmaid. —Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025

Wendi McLendon-Covey will forever be remembered by fans as Lillian’s cousin Rita, the bridesmaid who was all about the bachelorette party. —Emily Blackwood, People.com, 1 Sep. 2025

While neither has revealed who might serve as bridesmaids or groomsmen, the couple has a long list of celebrity pals who could play a role in the celebration. —Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 30 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1657, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for bridesmaid

• accolade
• ambuscade
• antegrade
• balustrade
• barricade
• cannonade
• cavalcade
• centigrade
• chambermaid
• colonnade
• countertrade
• disobeyed

Kids Definition

bridesmaid

noun

brides·​maid ˈbrīdz-ˌmād 

: a woman who attends a bride at her wedding