Madonna

[muh-don-uh] /məˈdɒn ə/
noun
1.
the Virgin Mary (usually preceded by the).
2.
a picture or statue representing the Virgin Mary.
3.
(lowercase) Archaic. an Italian title of formal address to a woman.
Origin
1575-85; < Italian: my lady
British Dictionary definitions for madonnas

Madonna1

/məˈdɒnə/
noun
1.
(mainly RC Church) a designation of the Virgin Mary
2.
(sometimes not capital) a picture or statue of the Virgin Mary
Word Origin
C16: Italian, from ma my + donna lady

Madonna2

/məˈdɒnə/
noun
1.
full name Madonna Louise Veronica Ciccone. born 1958, US rock singer and film actress. Her records include "Like a Virgin" (1985), "Like a Prayer" (1989), Ray of Light (1998), Music (2000), and MDNA (2012). Her films include Desperately Seeking Susan (1985) and Evita (1996)
Word Origin and History for madonnas

madonna

n.

1580s, "Italian lady," from Italian madonna, from Old Italian ma donna (Italian mia donna) "my lady," from ma "my" + donna "lady," from Latin domina (see dame). Sense of "picture or statue of the Virgin Mary" is from 1640s. The U.S. singer/dancer (full name Madonna Louise Ciccone, b.1958) attained to pop stardom in fall 1984.

madonnas in Culture

Madonna definition


A work of art depicting Mary, the mother of Jesus, especially one that shows her holding the infant Jesus; also a term for Mary herself. Madonna is Italian for “my lady.”

Madonna (Madonna Louise Ciccone)

An American pop singer known for her many incarnations, ranging from an early “Material Girl” to a movie star (Evita) to a mother and wife. Many consider Madonna a promotional genius for her ability to reinvent herself.