Definition of madam
madams
1 plural mesdamesplay \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
From the M-W Editors
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
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The madams enjoyed unprecedented status as influential businesswomen, community leaders and philanthropists, while elsewhere a growing aversion to the sex trade drove red-light districts underground.
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The show focuses primarily on Morton’s madam, Margaret Well, and her two daughters.
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But the showdown between the two madams at the playhouse where Emily’s virginity is being auctioned is disappointingly brief.
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Two rival madams—based on real historical characters—are fighting each other for a customer base: earthy bawd Mrs. Margaret Wells and elegant, conniving Mrs. Lydia Quigley.
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The protagonists are often saloon owners or madams, newspaper women or doctors or lawyers.
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
MADAM Defined for English Language Learners
madam
playDefinition of madam for English Language Learners
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—used to politely speak to a woman who you do not know
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Madam —used at the start of a formal letter to a woman whose name you do not know
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Madam —used when you are speaking to a woman who has a high rank or position
MADAM Defined for Kids
madam
playDefinition of madam for Students
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.”
Learn More about madam
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See words that rhyme with madam Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for madam Spanish Central: Translation of madam Nglish: Translation of madam for Spanish speakers
Seen and Heard
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