monsieur

noun

mon·​sieur mə-ˈsyər How to pronounce monsieur (audio)
-ˈsyə,
-ˈshyər,
-ˈshyə;
mə-ˈsir
plural messieurs mə-ˈsyər(z) How to pronounce monsieur (audio)
-ˈsyə(z),
-ˈshyər(z),
-ˈshyə(z),
mā-;
mə-ˈsir(z)
: a Frenchman of high rank or station
used as a title equivalent to Mister and prefixed to the name of a Frenchman

Examples of monsieur in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
After the last debutante is placed on stage, the jeunes messieurs bow to the debutantes and in turn, the young ladies do a group curtsey. Sue Strachan, NOLA.com, 26 June 2017

Word History

Etymology

Middle French, literally, my lord

First Known Use

1512, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of monsieur was in 1512

Dictionary Entries Near monsieur

Cite this Entry

“Monsieur.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/monsieur. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

monsieur

noun
mon·​sieur məsh-(ˈ)yə(r) How to pronounce monsieur (audio)
məs-,
mə-ˈsi(ə)r
plural messieurs məsh-(ˈ)yə(r)(z) How to pronounce monsieur (audio)
məs-,
mās-;
mə-ˈsi(ə)r(z)
used as a title equal to Mister for a Frenchman

More from Merriam-Webster on monsieur

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