Madam

/ˈmædəm/ noun [S] formal

Definition

› a formal and polite way of speaking to a woman: May I carry your cases for you, Madam?

Dear Madam › the usual way of beginning a formal letter to a woman whose name you do not know: Dear Madam, I am writing to enquire about ...

Madam Minister/President/Secretary/Speaker, etc. › POLITICS the official title used when speaking to a woman who has a senior position in a government: Madam Secretary, are there any circumstances under which the United States would agree to this policy?

→ Compare Sir

(Definition of Madam noun from the Cambridge Business English Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)