diadem

noun

di·​a·​dem ˈdī-ə-ˌdem 

-dəm

1

a

: crown sense 2

specifically : a royal headband

b

: crown sense 6a(1)

diadems of power

2

: something that adorns like a crown

Synonyms

• chaplet
• coronal
• coronel
• coronet
• crown

Examples of diadem in a Sentence

Miss America's diadem was auctioned off for charity.

Recent Examples on the Web

Designed by San Francisco architect Edward Glass in the 1920s, the hotel was the star gem in the diadem of downtown bars, dance halls, vaudeville theaters and assorted eateries. —Vincent Medina, Sacramento Bee, 16 June 2024

The dazzling diadem, which features pink gems and diamonds, was reportedly originally owned by a family with royal heritage in Russia. —Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 7 June 2024

The diadem was closely associated with Queen Elizabeth, who wore it on the way to her coronation in 1953 and en route to most State Openings of Parliament, as well as in photos used across British and Commonwealth coinage, banknotes and postage stamps. —Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 30 May 2024

And the items inside—including surviving fragments of human bones, delicate diadems, stones and pendants—were haphazardly strewn. —Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English diademe "monarch's crown, crownlike headdress," borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin diadēma "ornamental headband, crown," borrowed from Greek diadēmat-, diádēma "headband, band wrapped around the headdress by Persian monarchs," from diadē-, variant stem of diadéō, diadeîn "to bind on either side, bandage" (from dia- dia- + déō, deîn "to bind, tie") + -mat-, -ma, resultative noun suffix; Greek déō, deîn probably going back to a zero-grade form (*dh₁-i̯é-?) of the Indo-European verbal base *deh₁- "tie, bind," whence also Sanskrit ā́-dhyati "(s/he) binds," Hittite tiya "bind!"; from a full grade *de_h1- Greek édēsa "(I) bound," Sanskrit dāman-, dā́ma "cord, fetter"

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

diadem

noun

di·​a·​dem ˈdī-ə-ˌdem 

-əd-əm

: a headband or crown worn especially as a symbol of royalty