noun / verb

queen

KWEEN/kwiːn/

A woman holding royal authority or married to a king.

The crowned queen sits on her throne, holding a scepter and an orb.

A crowned female monarch sits upright on a throne, holding a royal scepter and orb.

Etymology

Old English cwēn meant “woman” or “wife” as well as “queen.” The royal title reflects a specialization of “wife” to “king’s wife,” alongside its use for a woman ruling in her own right.

In context

Vintage Discovery9:48

she is still a queen, she is no longer the reigning queen. According to Royal Central's Charlie Proctor, a queen dowager keeps her title

William Confirms the Inheritance That BANNED a Queen — Camilla Never Saw It Coming

More examples

The queen inherits the throne after her father's death.
The king and his queen welcome guests to the palace.
Portraits of past queens hang in the royal library.

Forms

queen · queens

queenly adjective — Having the dignity or bearing of a queen.

Similar words

monarch: A royal ruler of either sex, not merely a ruler's spouse.
sovereign: Emphasizes supreme ruling authority rather than marriage to a king.
consort: A monarch's spouse, not an independent ruler.