- ma'am
- ma'am [ mæm ] noun SPOKEN1. ) AMERICAN used for talking politely to a woman whose name you do not know:Excuse me, ma'am, do you know what time it is?2. ) BRITISH used for talking to a queen, princess, etc. or to a woman of high rank in the police or the military:Yes, ma'am.
Usage of the words and phrases in modern English. 2013.