diadem

noun

di·​a·​dem ˈdī-ə-ˌdem How to pronounce diadem (audio)
-dəm
Synonyms of diademnext
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

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Examples of diadem in a Sentence

Miss America's diadem was auctioned off for charity.
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.
The Danish Royal House confirmed that Queen Margrethe, 85, gave Princess Isabella the diadem with turquoise and diamonds on the occasion of her 18th birthday. —Janine Henni, People.com, 21 Apr. 2025 He’s shown wearing chest armor and a pearl diadem. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Dec. 2024 There’s a diadem and necklace with stars set with diamonds commissioned by Queen D. Maria Pia. —Anthony Demarco, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024 The garment was discovered in Tomb II alongside a golden scepter, oak wreath and diadem of Persian origins and near depictions of Persian gazelles in the tomb's frieze. —Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024 See All Example Sentences for diadem

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 *deh1- Greek édēsa "(I) bound," Sanskrit dāman-, dā́ma "cord, fetter"

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of diadem was in the 13th century

Rhymes for diadem

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Browse Nearby Words

diadelphous
diadem
Diadema
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Cite this Entry

“Diadem.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diadem. Accessed 2 May. 2025.

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Kids Definition

diadem

noun
di·​a·​dem ˈdī-ə-ˌdem How to pronounce diadem (audio)
-əd-əm
: a headband or crown worn especially as a symbol of royalty

More from Merriam-Webster on diadem

Nglish: Translation of diadem for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about diadem

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