stewardess

noun

stew·​ard·​ess ˈstü-ər-dəs How to pronounce stewardess (audio)
ˈstyü-;
ˈst(y)u̇r-dəs
Synonyms of stewardessnext
: a woman who performs the duties of a steward
especially : one who attends passengers (as on an airplane)

Examples of stewardess 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.
Hartman also appeared in Dunkirk as a stewardess. — Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Apr. 2026 The film follows two stewardesses racing to save a high-speed train when a massive storm threatens to cause the greatest train wreck in herstory. — Lily Brown, PEOPLE, 11 June 2026 Passengers can even identify their rank by the color of their uniform for stewardesses, or for stewards, by the color of their tie. — Scott Laird, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2026 Sometimes, after giving children pin-on airline wings, the stewardesses—as they were called at the time—would recruit them to help pass out nuts or matches. — Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 12 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for stewardess

Word History

First Known Use

1631, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of stewardess was in 1631

Browse Nearby Words

steward
stewardess
stewardly
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Stewardess.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stewardess. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

stewardess

noun
stew·​ard·​ess ˈst(y)ü-ərd-əs How to pronounce stewardess (audio)
ˈst(y)u̇(-ə)rd-
: a woman who does the job of a steward
especially : one who attends the needs of passengers (as on an airplane)

More from Merriam-Webster on stewardess

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for stewardess

Nglish: Translation of stewardess for Spanish Speakers

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