ma’am
noun[singular]- /mæm//mæm/(North American English) used as a polite way of addressing a woman
- ‘Can I help you, ma'am?’
- /mɑːm//mɑːm/(British English) used when addressing the Queen or senior women officers in the police or army see also madam
Word Originmid 17th cent.: contraction of madam.