madam

American  

[mad-uhm] / ˈmæd əm /

noun

plural

mesdames, madams

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.

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madam British  

/ 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. informal the lady of the house

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Etymology

Origin of madam

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

Explanation

Madam is a very formal way to address a woman, particularly an older or married woman. A waiter at a fancy restaurant might say, "Your table is ready, madam." If a stranger calls a woman madam, he probably sees her as a mature, dignified person. If the woman is younger, she is more likely to be called "miss," and sometimes madam is abbreviated as "ma'am." Another kind of madam is a woman who owns or runs a house of prostitution. Madam comes from the French phrase ma dame, "my lady."

Example Sentences

These days they joke that Maya will call Kamala “big sister general” until she earns the title of madam president.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 28, 2024

While on a call with me last week, he rang off saying "the madam" was calling.

From BBC • Jan. 9, 2024

Speaker Frank: A simple matter of coordination, madam.

From Scientific American • Sep. 21, 2023

Michael Billington of The Guardian, reviewing her there, wrote, “Carlin Glynn endows the madam with the refined good breeding and slight romantic forlornness of the head of a very classy, fee-paying American girls’ school.”

From New York Times • Jul. 20, 2023

“It’s behind the house, madam; it’s terrible muddy back there. Your gown will be ruined.”

From "The Princess Bride" by William Goldman

Related Words

• madame