ladyships
/ˈleɪ.diˌʃɪps/
NOUN
1. Honorific titles for women of noble rank
Formal titles or respectful styles of address used when referring to or addressing women who hold aristocratic rank or are entitled to the designation Lady.
1.1. Aristocratic titles and forms of address
Refers to the formal styles of address used for multiple noblewomen, peeresses, or women belonging to the British aristocracy, particularly in ceremonial and traditional settings.
Synonyms
- Her Ladyships
- Your Ladyships
- My Ladies
- miladies
- peeresses
- noblewomen
Examples
- Their Ladyships were welcomed with great ceremony at the royal reception.
- The household staff prepared the grand hall for the arrival of the visiting Ladyships.
Related Words
- baronesses
- countesses
- duchesses
- marchionesses
- viscountesses
- aristocracy
- peerage
- nobility
- honorifics
- social rank
NOUN
2. Formal judicial styles of address for female judges
Traditional respectful forms of address used for women serving as judges in certain English-speaking legal systems.
2.1. Judicial and courtroom address
Refers to the formal honorific styles used when addressing or referring to multiple female judges in jurisdictions that retain traditional judicial forms of address.
Synonyms
- My Ladies
- Your Ladyships
- Her Ladyships
Examples
- The barristers addressed the panel of female judges as Your Ladyships.
- The legal representatives presented their arguments before Their Ladyships.