madam

noun mad·am \ ˈma-dəm \

Updated on: 14 Apr 2018

Definition of madam

plural madams

1 plural mesdames play \mā-ˈdäm, -ˈdam\ : lady —used without a name as a form of respectful or polite address to a woman

Right this way, madam.

2 : mistress 1 —used as a title formerly with the given name but now with the surname or especially with a designation of rank or office

Madam Chairman

Madam President

3 : the female head of a house of prostitution

4 : the female head of a household : wife

every once in a while the madam and I will order a book that we've read about
—H. S. Truman

See madam defined for English-language learners

See madam defined for kids

Examples of madam in a Sentence

the madam and I are planning to go out for a nice dinner on our anniversary

Recent Examples of madam from the Web

The cathouse madam Billie (played with authority and delight by Kate Shindle) has more to do than before.

— alexis soloski, New York Times, "Review: Con Men in Tap Shoes Lay Down ‘The Sting’," 9 Apr. 2018
The inmates take over the town, becoming aristocrats, a prince of the church, a fancy madam.

— charles champlin, latimes.com, "More than 50 years later, 'The King of Hearts' remains a sadly apt take on war and madness," 8 Mar. 2018
Of the characters of Mamet’s own making, none is more compellingly complex than Peekaboo, an African-American madam of a brothel called the Ace of Spades.

— rick kogan, chicagotribune.com, "David Mamet's new book belongs on your shelf of Chicago classics," 28 Feb. 2018
Jenna Watson/IndyStar On Feb. 6, 1872, one of Indianapolis' most powerful madams died suddenly — and not without controversy.

— steve mannheimer, Indianapolis Star, "Notorious madam, married six times, inspires new play and catches Hollywood's eye," 20 Dec. 2017
The figures range from Alabama governors and war soldiers to actress Tallulah Bankhead and the madam Molly Teal.

— AL.com, "Cool things to do in Huntsville, Oct. 15-21," 15 Oct. 2017
Should win: Whether gliding nude through a high-tech lab or recalling flecks of repressed memory, Thandie Newton was fierce as a saloon madam in Westworld.

— julie hinds, Detroit Free Press, "2017 Emmys: Predictions on who will, should win on TV's big night," 15 Sep. 2017
In his novel, the winning ticket belongs to a flamboyant madam of a high-class brothel and Ernest becomes her new houseboy.

— debbie arrington, sacbee, "‘Love and Other Consolation Prizes’ returns author Jamie Ford to Seattle and its forgotten history," 1 Sep. 2017
Indiana madam may have inspired famous song DOYEL: And so begins the NFL plague of biblical proportions — Colts preseason The Colts commissioned artist Ryan Feeney, who owns Indy Art Forge, to build the statue.

— domenica bongiovanni, Indianapolis Star, "Fall Arts Preview: What will the long-awaited Peyton Manning statue look like? Here's what we know," 26 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'madam.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of madam

Middle English, from Anglo-French ma dame, literally, my lady

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

madam Synonyms

Synonyms

lady, missus (or missis), Mrs., old lady, wife;

Related Words

bride;

better half, companion, consort, mate, partner, significant other, soul mate, spouse;

dowager, matron;

hausfrau, homemaker, housewife;

widow;

Other Forms of Address Terms

appellation, beatitude, brethren, emeritus, esquire, sire, sous

MADAM Defined for English Language Learners

madam

noun

Definition of madam for English Language Learners

—used to politely speak to a woman who you do not know
Madam —used at the start of a formal letter to a woman whose name you do not know
Madam —used when you are speaking to a woman who has a high rank or position

MADAM Defined for Kids

madam

noun mad·am \ ˈma-dəm \

Definition of madam for Students

plural mesdames \mā-ˈdäm, -ˈdam\

—used without a name as a form of polite address to a woman

May I help you, madam?

Headscratcher for madam

The word madam is spelled the same forwards and backwards. It is also part of a well-known phrase that is also spelled the same forwards and backwards: “Madam, I'm Adam.”