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
When the duchess died in 1861, Victoria was by her side.
—
Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 4 Dec. 2025
The youngest and most elegant Mitford, Deborah, steered largely clear of global affairs and became a duchess.
—Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2025
And interestingly, 20 percent of visitors to As Ever were referred by People—suggesting the magazine may be a valuable source of customers for the duchess.
—Jack Royston, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Nov. 2025
In March 2023, the duke and duchess were asked to vacate the royal property.
—Katie Schultz, Architectural Digest, 27 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for duchess
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Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 4 Dec. 2025
The youngest and most elegant Mitford, Deborah, steered largely clear of global affairs and became a duchess.
—Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2025
And interestingly, 20 percent of visitors to As Ever were referred by People—suggesting the magazine may be a valuable source of customers for the duchess.
—Jack Royston, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Nov. 2025
In March 2023, the duke and duchess were asked to vacate the royal property.
—Katie Schultz, Architectural Digest, 27 Nov. 2025
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 Dec. 2025.
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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