The female head of a household; a woman who has authority over servants, attendants, or slaves (now chiefly archaic or historical). Cf. lady of the…

The female head of a family, household, or other establishment; a woman holding such a position in conjunction with a male counterpart.

The female manager or proprietor of an establishment; esp. (a) the landlady of an inn; (b) a woman who owns and manages a farm. Cf. goodman, n.…

A woman who acts as chief of other women. in a jury of matrons.

Chiefly in Italian-speaking communities: the mistress of a household; a woman who keeps a hotel, inn, or brothel.

Also with capital initial. The chief or dominant woman in an organization or social group; (Military) the officer in charge of a women's unit or…

Esp. in South Asia: (a name for) a lady.

colloquial. the Mrs: a wife; esp. one's own wife. Cf. missus, n. 2.