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first lady

/fərst ˌleɪdi/
/fəst ˈleɪdi/
IPA guide

Other forms: first ladies

The female partner or wife of a head of state is known as a first lady. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis was first lady of the United States from 1961 to 1963.

The original American first lady was Martha Washington, although she wasn't referred to that way, since the title wasn't common until the mid-19th century. The honorific is used for women whose partners are U.S. presidents, governors, or mayors; and several other countries have first ladies too. In some cases, the term first spouse is used, making it appropriate for any gender. Currently, the male partners of women who hold high office in the U.S. is first gentleman.

Definitions of first lady
  1. noun
    the wife of a chief executive
    see moresee less
    type of:
    married woman, wife
    a married woman; a partner in marriage
  2. noun
    the leading woman in an art or profession
    see moresee less
    type of:
    achiever, succeeder, success, winner
    a person with a record of successes
Pronunciation
US
/fərst ˌleɪdi/
UK
/fəst ˈleɪdi/
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