madam

[ mad-uhm ]

noun

, plural mes·dames [mey-, dam, -, dahm] mad·ams

1. (often initial capital letter) a polite term of address to a woman, originally used only to a woman of rank or authority:

   Madam President; May I help you, madam?

2. the woman in charge of a household:

   Is the madam at home?

3. the woman in charge of a house of prostitution.

madam

/ ˈmædəm /

noun

1. a polite term of address for a woman, esp one considered to be of relatively high social status
2. a woman who runs a brothel
3. informal.
   a precocious or pompous little girl
4. the madam informal.
   the lady of the house

Word History and Origins

Origin of madam¹

1250–1300; Middle English madame < Old French, originally ma dame my lady; dame

Word History and Origins

Origin of madam¹

C13: from Old French ma dame my lady

Example Sentences

After her tenure as secretary of state, she went on to publish seven New York Times bestsellers including her 2003 autobiography “Madam Secretary”.

From Washington Blade

The pop-feminist renaissance Rhimes helped launch was diluted by a wave of imitations, from Téa Leoni in Madam Secretary to Piper Perabo’s cable-news tycoon in Notorious.

From Time

Famed poet Maya Angelou, for example, worked briefly here as a madam in the 1940s when she was a young woman.

From Voice of San Diego

Republican Senator David Vitter issued a public apology in 2007 for his involvement with the “D.C. Madam.”

From The Daily Beast

Bible-thumping Louisiana Sen. David Vitter was outed as a john for the “D.C. Madam” in 2007.

From The Daily Beast

The legendary actor and Madam Secretary producer insists his show has nothing to do with Hillary Clinton.

From The Daily Beast

Still, the Madam Secretary cast and crew have been lately downplaying parallels to the Democratic presidential hopeful.

From The Daily Beast

“Madam Speaker, this is America; it is not Burger King,” Poe said.

From The Daily Beast

I tell you, madam, most distinctly and emphatically, that it is bread pudding and the meanest kind at that.'

From Project Gutenberg

I am ready Madam,—for I have sufficiently experienced the folly of my presuming to decline it.

From Project Gutenberg

Another female person, whom I put down as Madam Stone, arose and disappeared through an open door at my approach.

From Project Gutenberg

The boy took off his hat, and very handsomely addressed the cow, with "Your servant, madam."

From Project Gutenberg

I should be sorry to lay upon you, my dear madam, a burthen greater than the one you have already to bear.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• matron