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

Duvall, always the Oscar-night bridesmaid, would finally take home his first statuette for 1983’s Tender Mercies. —Chris Nashawaty, Vanity Fair, 16 Feb. 2026

Always the bridesmaid at the Olympics, the couple finally have their Olympic medal. —Alice Park, Time, 12 Feb. 2026

Radomski was also seen taking a bathroom selfie at the restaurant alongside three of her bridesmaids. —Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 12 Jan. 2026

The couple tied the knot in East Sussex in front of family, friends, and many of Abela's costars, including Myha'la Herrold, who plays Harper on Industry, and served as one of her bridesmaids. —Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Jan. 2026

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