madam

[mad-uh m] /ˈmæd əm/
noun, plural mesdames
[mey-dam, -dahm] /meɪˈdæm, -ˈdɑm/ (Show IPA), for 1; madams for 2, 3.
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.
Origin
1250-1300; Middle English madame < Old French, orig. ma dame my lady; see dame
Can be confused
madam, madame.
Examples from the web for madam
  • And finally the madam of the establishment mocks the whole bunch by pretending she is a queen.
British Dictionary definitions for madam

madam

/ˈmædəm/
noun (pl) madams, (for sense 1) mesdames (ˈmeɪˌdæm)
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.
(Brit, informal) a precocious or pompous little girl
4.
(South African, informal) the madam, the lady of the house
Word Origin
C13: from Old French ma dame my lady
Word Origin and History for madam

c.1300, from Old French ma dame, literally "my lady," from Latin mea domina (cf. madonna). Meaning "female owner or manager of a brothel" is first attested 1871.