first lady

first lady

First Lady is an unofficial title used for the wife or hostess of a male, non-monarchical head of state or chief executive. The term is also used to describe a woman seen to be at the top of her profession or art. Collectively, the President of the United States and his or her spouse are known as the First Couple and, if they have a family, they are usually referred to as the First Family. The term is sometimes used, particularly in the US, to refer to the spouse of other non-monarchical heads of state, even if they do not have that style in their own country. Some other countries have a title, formal or informal, that is or can be translated as first lady. The title is not normally used for the wife of a head of government who is not also head of state. It is sometimes employed for the wife of a prime minister; an incorrect usage, as prime ministers do not precede the head of state. The term in the United States is also used to refer to wives of governors and, less formally, to wives of male college and university presidents. It has even been used in reference to female spouses of men who were chairmen of major corporations.

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