madam

noun

mad·​am ˈma-dəm 

plural madams

1

a

plural mesdames mā-ˈdäm 

-ˈdam

: lady

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

Right this way, madam.

b

Madam

—used as a conventional form of address in the salutation of a letter

2

: mistress sense 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 President

3

: a woman who runs a brothel

4

: a woman who is the head of a household : wife

Every once in a while the madam and I will order a book that we've read about …

—Harry S. Truman

Synonyms of madam

• wife

Examples of madam in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

The origin story helps contextualize the misery and self-isolation of Cathy’s later years, as the madam of a Salinas whorehouse. — Alison Herman, Variety, 1 Oct. 2026

In East of Eden, Pugh delivers yet another knock out performance as Cathy Ames, the distant mother and madam at the center of Steinbeck’s multigenerational family saga and biblical allegory. — Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 30 Sep. 2026

The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas For her second Hollywood role, Parton again found herself a fit as Mona Stangely, the warm-hearted madam at the center of 1982’s The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. — Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 25 Aug. 2026

Mysaria, dressed to impress in her white silk robes, invites the madam Sylvi over for an ultra-exclusive backstage tour of the Red Keep. — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 3 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for madam

• madame
• macadam

Kids Definition

madam

noun

mad·​am ˈmad-əm 

plural mesdames mā-ˈdäm 

-ˈdam

1

—used as a form of polite address to a woman

2

capitalized

—used as a title especially before the name of rank or office of a high-ranking woman

Madam President

Etymology

Middle English madam "woman of rank or authority, lady," from early French ma dame, literally "my lady," from Latin domina "mistress, lady," feminine form of dominus "master, owner" — related to dame, dominate, madonna