lady-in-waiting

noun

la·​dy-in-wait·​ing ˈlā-dē-in-ˈwā-tiŋ How to pronounce lady-in-waiting (audio)
plural ladies-in-waiting
: a lady of a queen's or a princess's household appointed to wait on her

Examples of lady-in-waiting in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Annabel is also one of six Queen's Companions for Camilla, a modern spin on the traditional ladies-in-waiting that supported Queen Elizabeth throughout her reign. Stephanie Petit, Peoplemag, 13 July 2023 Queen Elizabeth at Royal Ascot with Special Program Message Annabel is one of six Queen's Companions for Camilla, a modern spin on the traditional ladies-in-waiting that supported Queen Elizabeth throughout her reign. Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 20 June 2023 She was accompanied by several ladies-in-waiting and her private secretary, Sir Philip Moore. Stephanie Nolasco, Fox News, 26 May 2023 Some of Charlotte’s ladies-in-waiting even complained to the king about their punishing working conditions. Meredith Blake, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2023 Did Queen Charlotte have a close friendship with one of her ladies-in-waiting? Kelsie Gibson, Peoplemag, 5 May 2023 And the metal wall that slides down fast from the ceiling into the middle of all this — what if a knight or a lady-in-waiting loses a toe? Trish Deitch, Variety, 4 Apr. 2023 Her former lady-in-waiting, Anne Glenconner, reminisced on Margaret's love for gems in her new memoir, Whatever Next? Town & Country, 25 Feb. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lady-in-waiting.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1703, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lady-in-waiting was in 1703

Dictionary Entries Near lady-in-waiting

Cite this Entry

“Lady-in-waiting.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lady-in-waiting. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

lady-in-waiting

noun
la·​dy-in-wait·​ing
ˌlād-ē-in-ˈwāt-iŋ
plural ladies-in-waiting
: a lady appointed to attend or wait on a queen or princess

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