Madonna

noun

Ma·​don·​na mə-ˈdä-nə How to pronounce Madonna (audio)
1
archaic : lady
—used as a form of respectful address
2
obsolete : an Italian lady
3
a
: virgin mary
b
: an artistic depiction (such as a painting or statue) of the Virgin Mary
4
: a morally pure and chaste woman

Word History

Etymology

Italian, from Old Italian ma donna, literally, my lady

First Known Use

1584, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Madonna was in 1584

Phrases Containing Madonna

Dictionary Entries Near Madonna

madness

Madonna

Madonna lily

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Madonna.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Madonna. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

Madonna

noun
Ma·​don·​na mə-ˈdän-ə How to pronounce Madonna (audio)
1
: the Virgin Mary
2
: a painting or statue representing the Virgin Mary
Etymology

from Italian madonna "lady, Virgin Mary," from earlier ma donna, literally "my lady," from Latin domina "mistress, lady," feminine form of dominus "master, owner" — related to dame, dominate, madam

More from Merriam-Webster on Madonna

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about Madonna

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