marchioness

noun

mar·​chio·​ness ˈmär-sh(ə-)nəs How to pronounce marchioness (audio)
1
: the wife or widow of a marquess
2
: a woman who holds the rank of marquess in her own right

Examples of marchioness in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Multiple media outlets begin to publish explainers on the marchioness, but not all of them mention the affair rumors. Ellie Hall, Vulture, 9 July 2024 Marjorie Paget, marchioness of Anglesey, wore the necklace to the coronation of King George VI in 1937. Amarachi Orie, CNN, 24 Sep. 2024 Vanity Fair reported that the marchioness sent him a legal notice. Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2024 The marchioness is among the seven patrons for East Anglia's Children's Hospices (EACH), which provides care and support for young children faced with life-threatening diseases. Chelsey Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 4 May 2023 The wife of a marquis, incidentally, is called a marchioness. Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 14 Nov. 2020 Her closest friend was the adventurous Nadejda Mountbatten, marchioness of Milford Haven. Nancy Bilyeau, Town & Country, 30 Sep. 2016 For women, the titles are: duchess, marchioness, countess, viscountess, and baroness. Lisa Ryan, The Cut, 23 May 2018 The Queen can choose from five titles for a man -- duke, marquess, earl, viscount or baron -- and for a woman -- duchess, marchioness, countess, viscountess and baroness. Angela Dewan, CNN, 19 May 2018

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin marchionissa, from marchion-, marchio marquess, from marca

First Known Use

1570, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of marchioness was in 1570

Dictionary Entries Near marchioness

Cite this Entry

“Marchioness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/marchioness. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

marchioness

noun
mar·​chio·​ness ˈmär-sh(ə-)nəs How to pronounce marchioness (audio)
1
: the wife or widow of a marquess
2
: a woman holding the rank of marquess
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!