1
: the wife or widow of a duke
2
: a woman who holds the rank of duke in her own right
Examples of duchess in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The heir to the British throne and the duchess of Wales married on April 29, 2011, in London and are parents to Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 8.
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ABC News, 1 May 2026
Following her turn as a countess in last summer’s Shakespeare in the Park production of Twelfth Night, and as a duchess in the Metropolitan Opera’s La Fille du Régiment in October, the actress will play the title role in The Misanthrope from June through August.
—Lizzie Hyman, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026
Starkie’s friendship with the former duchess collapsed over a business fallout in 1996, Page Six reported.
—Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2026
In Part 2 the factional fighting at court is increased rather than lessened by the arrival of Margaret of Anjou, the new queen, who—together with her lover, the duke of Suffolk—plots against Humphrey, duke of Gloucester, and his ambitious duchess, Eleanor.
—Gitanjali Roy, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for duchess
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ABC News, 1 May 2026
Following her turn as a countess in last summer’s Shakespeare in the Park production of Twelfth Night, and as a duchess in the Metropolitan Opera’s La Fille du Régiment in October, the actress will play the title role in The Misanthrope from June through August.
—Lizzie Hyman, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026
Starkie’s friendship with the former duchess collapsed over a business fallout in 1996, Page Six reported.
—Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2026
In Part 2 the factional fighting at court is increased rather than lessened by the arrival of Margaret of Anjou, the new queen, who—together with her lover, the duke of Suffolk—plots against Humphrey, duke of Gloucester, and his ambitious duchess, Eleanor.
—Gitanjali Roy, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for duchess
Cite this Entry
“Duchess.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/duchess. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
duchess
noun
duch·ess
ˈdəch-əs 
1
: the wife or widow of a duke
2
: a woman holding the rank of duke in her own right
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