tiara

[ tee-ar-uh, -ahr-uh, -air-uh ]

noun

1. a jeweled, ornamental coronet worn by women.
2. Roman Catholic Church. a head-piece consisting of three coronets on top of which is an orb and a cross, worn by the pope, or carried before him during certain nonliturgical functions.
3. the position, authority, and dignity of the pope.
4. a high headdress, or turban, worn by the ancient Persians and others.

tiara

/ tɪˈɑːrə /

noun

1. a woman's semicircular jewelled headdress for formal occasions
2. a high headdress worn by Persian kings in ancient times
3. RC Church
   1. a headdress worn by the pope, consisting of a beehive-shaped diadem surrounded by three coronets
   2. the office or rank of pope

Derived Forms

• tiˈaraed, adjective

Other Words From

• ti·araed adjective
• ti·ara·like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tiara¹

1545–55; < Latin: headdress < Greek tiā́ra kind of turban

Word History and Origins

Origin of tiara¹

C16: via Latin from Greek, of Oriental origin

Example Sentences

Some of the items in her collection were named after her relationships, like the Mike Todd tiara and the Taylor-Burton diamond.

From BBC

The red spinel on one of the necklaces — which also converts into a tiara — acts as its own version of the black and white spiral patterns used by hypnotists, affixing the eyes.

From Los Angeles Times

But as the newly-crowned Miss Universe Fiji stood on stage, beaming in her sparkling tiara, the judges sensed something was wrong.

From BBC

For Valentina, in her sheer dress, glittery thong and tiara, it was the welcome home her younger self had always struggled to see.

From Los Angeles Times

Wearing a beaming smile, a silver tiara on her head and with a Union Jack draped over her shoulders, the achievement of going so close to gold at all was not lost on her for a second as Thiam's victory was confirmed.

From BBC

Related Words

• headband
• headdress