Mesdames is the French word for “ladies” or “madams” (plural), used when addressing or referring to multiple adult women. You might see it at the beginning of a formal letter: “Dear Mesdames,” or hear it in a fancy restaurant: “Mesdames, your table is ready.”

The word is pronounced roughly like “may-DAHM” and is the plural of madame, just as “ladies” is the plural of “lady.” In very formal writing, you might see it abbreviated as “Mmes.”

Today, mesdames appears mostly in very formal contexts: diplomatic letters, fancy invitations, or traditional announcements.

In everyday English, people usually just say “ladies” instead. But if you're reading a classic novel set in the 1800s or attending a formal event, you might encounter mesdames as a respectful way to address a group of women.