: any of various titled women in Great Britain—used as the customary title of (1) a marchioness, countess, viscountess, or baroness or (2) the wife of a knight, baronet, member of the peerage, or one having the courtesy title of lord and used as a courtesy title for the daughter of a duke, marquess, or earl
b
: a woman who is a member of an order of knighthood compare dame
Her mother was always telling her to act like a lady. He bumped into some lady walking to the bus stop. He helped a little old lady cross the street.
Recent Examples on the WebFirst lady Jill Biden spoke at the third attack site, a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Jennifer Peltz, Karen Matthews And Julie Walker, Anchorage Daily News, 12 Sep. 2022 First lady Jill Biden traveled to Shanksville, Pa., to speak at the Flight 93 National Memorial commemoration. Ginger Adams Otis, WSJ, 11 Sep. 2022 First lady Jill Biden spoke at the third attack site, a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Jennifer Peltz, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2022 First lady Jill Biden spoke at the third attack site, a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Jennifer Peltz, The Salt Lake Tribune, 11 Sep. 2022 First lady Jill Biden wore a sunflower embroidered on a royal-blue dress in March of this year to signal support for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. Ashley Fetters Maloy, Washington Post, 9 Sep. 2022 First lady Jill Biden will deliver opening remarks at a White House launching an apprenticeship ambassador initiative to celebrate employers, colleges and entities across the country working to expand registered apprenticeships. Rick Klein, ABC News, 1 Sep. 2022 First lady Jill Biden tested negative for the coronavirus Monday after a rebound case had forced her back into isolation, according to the White House.BostonGlobe.com, 30 Aug. 2022 First lady Jill Biden has tested positive with a rebound COVID-19 case, the White House announced Wednesday. Harold Maass, The Week, 25 Aug. 2022 See More
Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Old English hlǣfdige, from hlāf bread + -dige (akin to dǣge kneader of bread) — more at loaf, dairy
First Known Use
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Time Traveler
The first known use of lady was before the 12th century