first lady

[ furst leee-dee ]

noun

, plural first la·dies.

1. Often First Lady. the wife of the U.S. president, or the wife of a current governor or mayor.
2. Often First Lady. the wife of the head of any country:

   the First Lady of Brazil.

3. the foremost woman in any art, profession, or the like:

   Helen Hayes, the first lady of American theater.

first lady

noun

1. (in the US) the wife or official hostess of a chief executive, esp of a state governor or a president
2. a woman considered to be at the top of her profession or art

   the first lady of jazz

Word History and Origins

Origin of first lady¹

First recorded in 1850–55

Example Sentences

Bracey says he considers Hamer the First Lady of Civil Rights.

From The Daily Beast

She wrote the then-First Lady to “be careful to ‘be real’” and “look for opportunities for humor.”

From The Daily Beast

The first-lady-turned-senator-turned-secretary-of-state may ultimately decide not to run.

From The Daily Beast

Plenty of POTUS and first-lady aspirants failed to bounce back lickety-split.

From The Daily Beast

Not that surprising since she challenged expectations, seeking a more active policy role as first-lady-to-be.

From The Daily Beast

Preceded by a precautionary roulade, the ex-first lady reappeared.

From Project Gutenberg

Suddenly the hansom tacked, veered and landed him at the ex-first lady's door.

From Project Gutenberg

The secret of happiness was remoter now than when, under the teaching of the ex-first lady, she had first attacked the score.

From Project Gutenberg