dame

noun

ˈdām 

1

: a woman of rank, station, or authority: such as

a

archaic : the mistress of a household

b

: the wife or daughter of a lord

c

: a female member of an order of knighthood

—used as a title prefixed to the given name

2

a

informal : an elderly woman : matron

b

US slang, old-fashioned : woman

a classy dame

Synonyms

• dowager
• grande dame
• matriarch
• matron

Examples of dame in a Sentence

She was made a dame the year before she died.

as the grand dames of local society, they determined which charities received support

Recent Examples on the Web

The Crown star Imelda Staunton has joined the list of the UK’s celebrated acting dames, after being given the title in the King’s Birthday Honors list. —Caroline Frost, Deadline, 15 June 2024

Other names from the entertainment world to be recognised in this year’s list include artist Tracey Emin and designer Anya Hindmarch, both being made dames. —Caroline Frost, Deadline, 15 June 2024

Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni is one of the undisputed grand dames of Lake Como and, along with Grand Hotel Tremezzo, Grand Hotel Victoria, and Villa D’Este, is among the lake’s legendary villa hotels. —Elizabeth Heath, Travel + Leisure, 27 July 2024

Today, the grand dame property is set on 2,300-acres within the Allegheny Mountains of southwestern Virginia, and has more than 10 bars and restaurants focused on local bounty; a vintage movie theater; an expansive spa and pool utilizing the mineral springs; and two championship golf courses. —By Devorah Lev-Tov, TIME, 25 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin domina, feminine of dominus master; akin to Latin domus house — more at dome

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing dame

• dame school
• dame's rocket
• grande dame

Kids Definition

dame

noun

ˈdām 

: a woman of rank, station, or authority: as

a

archaic : the mistress of a household

b

: the wife or daughter of a lord

c

: a female member of an order of knighthood

—used as a title before a given name

Etymology

Middle English dame "a woman of rank or authority, lady," from early French dame (same meaning), from Latin domina "mistress, lady," feminine form of dominus "master, owner" — related to damsel, dominate, don entry 2, madam, madonna, prima donna