1
: a woman of rank, station, or authority: such as
a
archaic
: the mistress of a household
b
: the wife or daughter of a lord
c
: a female member of an order of knighthood
—used as a title prefixed to the given name
Examples of dame in a Sentence
She was made a dame the year before she died.
as the grand dames of local society, they determined which charities received support
Recent Examples on the Web
This historic grand dame property originally opened in 1926 and during its early days boasted illustrious clientele such as John F. Kennedy and Bette Davis.
—
Christina Liao, Vogue, 19 Apr. 2025
This initial toast is just one of the ways the new property stays rooted in Hungary and its beguiling capital city, while bringing something fresh to a hotel scene known mostly for its stately grand dames.
—Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 16 Apr. 2025
Another grand Historic District dame, The Pamlico House is a Colonial Revival home tucked away on a quiet residential street just blocks from main drag.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 12 Apr. 2025
Of San Diego’s many historical attractions, Hotel del Coronado is the area’s true grand dame, dating to 1888.
—Visit California, AFAR Media, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dame
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Christina Liao, Vogue, 19 Apr. 2025
This initial toast is just one of the ways the new property stays rooted in Hungary and its beguiling capital city, while bringing something fresh to a hotel scene known mostly for its stately grand dames.
—Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 16 Apr. 2025
Another grand Historic District dame, The Pamlico House is a Colonial Revival home tucked away on a quiet residential street just blocks from main drag.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 12 Apr. 2025
Of San Diego’s many historical attractions, Hotel del Coronado is the area’s true grand dame, dating to 1888.
—Visit California, AFAR Media, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dame
Cite this Entry
“Dame.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dame. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
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dame
noun
: a woman of rank, station, or authority: as
a
archaic
: the mistress of a household
b
: the wife or daughter of a lord
c
: a female member of an order of knighthood
—used as a title before a given name
Etymology
Middle English dame "a woman of rank or authority, lady," from early French dame (same meaning), from Latin domina "mistress, lady," feminine form of dominus "master, owner" — related to damsel, dominate, don entry 2, madam, madonna, prima donna
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