Catholics and other Christians sometimes call Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, the Madonna.
Madonna in British English1
(məˈdɒnə)
noun
1. mainly Roman Catholic 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
Madonna in British English2
(məˈdɒnə)
noun
full name Madonna Louise Veronica Ciccone. born 1958, US pop 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)
madonna in American English
(məˈdɑnə)
noun
1.
a former Italian title for a woman, equivalent to madam
2. [M-]
Mary, mother of Jesus
, usually with the
3. [M-]
a picture or statue of Mary
Word origin
It, my lady < ma, my (< L mea) + donna, lady (< L domina, see dame)