diadem

noun

di·​a·​dem ˈdī-ə-ˌdem How to pronounce diadem (audio)
-dəm
Synonyms of diademnext
1
a
: crown sense 2
specifically : a royal headband
b
: crown sense 6a(1)
diadems of power
2
: something that adorns like a crown

Synonyms

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 

Examples of diadem in a Sentence

Miss America's diadem was auctioned off for charity.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The garment was discovered in Tomb II alongside a golden scepter, oak wreath and diadem of Persian origins and near depictions of Persian gazelles in the tomb's frieze. —Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024 Theodora also wore Princess Margaret’s tiara, a Cartier diadem gifted to the Crown Princess of Sweden on her wedding day by the Khedive of Egypt in 1920. —Violet Goldstone, WWD, 3 Sep. 2019 The diadem was closely associated with Queen Elizabeth, who wore it on the way to her crowning ceremony in 1953 and en route to most State Openings of Parliament. —Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 17 July 2024 That wasn’t enough bling for Camilla, though: Her Majesty paired the diadem with a sparkling diamond necklace and matching diamond earrings. —Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 17 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for diadem 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English diademe "monarch's crown, crownlike headdress," borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin diadēma "ornamental headband, crown," borrowed from Greek diadēmat-, diádēma "headband, band wrapped around the headdress by Persian monarchs," from diadē-, variant stem of diadéō, diadeîn "to bind on either side, bandage" (from dia- dia- + déō, deîn "to bind, tie") + -mat-, -ma, resultative noun suffix; Greek déō, deîn probably going back to a zero-grade form (*dh1-i̯é-?) of the Indo-European verbal base *deh1- "tie, bind," whence also Sanskrit ā́-dhyati "(s/he) binds," Hittite tiya "bind!"; from a full grade *deh1- Greek édēsa "(I) bound," Sanskrit dāman-, dā́ma "cord, fetter"

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of diadem was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near diadem

diadelphous

diadem

Diadema

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Diadem.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diadem. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

diadem

noun
di·​a·​dem ˈdī-ə-ˌdem How to pronounce diadem (audio)
-əd-əm
: a headband or crown worn especially as a symbol of royalty

More from Merriam-Webster on diadem

Nglish: Translation of diadem for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of diadem for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about diadem

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