People sometimes say Madam as a very formal and polite way of addressing a woman whose name they do not know or a woman of superior rank. For example, a shop assistant might address a woman customer as Madam.
[politeness]
Try them on, madam.
2. vocative noun
You use the expression 'Dear madam' at the beginning of a formal letter or a business letter when you are writing to a woman.
Dear Madam, Thank you for your interest in our Memorial Scheme.
3. vocative noun [NOUN noun]
Madam is sometimes used in front of words such as 'Chairman' to address the woman who holds the position mentioned.
I have to say this, Madam Chairman.
4. countable noun & vocative noun
You can call a little girl a madam if you are annoyed because she is being naughty and behaving as if she expects other people to do what she wants.
[mainly British, spoken, disapproval]
Sue is a thoroughly precocious little madam if ever there was one.
Wait till I get you home, young madam.
madam in British English
(ˈmædəm)
nounWord forms: pluralmadams or 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. British informal
a precocious or pompous little girl
4. the madam
Word origin
C13: from Old French ma dame my lady
madam in American English
(ˈmædəm)
nounWord forms: pluralˈmadams
1.
a woman; lady
a polite term of address
2.
the mistress of a household
3. US
a woman in charge of a brothel
Word origin
Fr madame, orig. ma dame < L mea domina, my lady: see dame
Examples of 'madam' in a sentence
madam
I have hold of your hand but, lord, madam, you are a weight.
Fidelis Morgan THE RIVAL QUEENS: A COUNTESS ASHBY DE LA ZOUCHE MYSTERY (2002)
In other languages
madam
British English: madam /ˈmædəm/ NOUN
Madam is a formal and polite way of addressing a woman.