Dictionary
mad•am
Pronunciation: (mad'um), [key]—
n.,
—pl. mes•damesPronunciation: (mā-dam', -däm') [key] for 1; mad•ams for 2, 3.
1. (often cap.) 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.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.