marquess

1 of 2

noun (1)

mar·​quess ˈmär-kwəs 

variants or marquis

ˈmär-kwəs 

mär-ˈkē

plural marquesses or marquises ˈmär-kwə-səz  or marquis mär-ˈkē(z) 

1

: a nobleman of hereditary rank in Europe and Japan

2

: a member of the British peerage ranking below a duke and above an earl

marquessate

ˈmär-kwə-sət 

noun

or marquisate

ˈmär-kwə-zət 

-sət

marquise

2 of 2

noun (2)

mar·​quise mär-ˈkēz 

plural marquises mär-ˈkēz 

-ˈkē-zəz

1

: marchioness

2

: marquee

3

: a gem or a ring setting or bezel usually elliptical in shape but with pointed ends

Examples of marquess in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The marquess, however, decided not to buy the painting, which belongs to a private collection and, before now, has only ever been on public display once. —The Week Uk, TheWeek, 27 Mar. 2026

The agreement with the marquess allows Kays to take up to 25,000 tons of granite off the island by 2050. —Matt Slater, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026

Noun

Benny Blanco's proposal to Gomez in December 2024 included a Taco Bell picnic and a luxe marquise diamond ring. —Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 28 Apr. 2026

Ritani is a great pick for those who want options, with 10 different shape varieties to choose from, including classics like round, cushion, and oval, as well as marquise, pear, and heart. —Jessie Quinn, StyleCaster, 26 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English marquis, markis, from Anglo-French marquys, markys, from marche march

Noun (2)

French, feminine of marquis

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1503, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

marquess

noun

mar·​quess ˈmär-kwəs 

1

: a nobleman of hereditary rank in Europe and Japan

2

: a British nobleman ranking below a duke and above an earl