From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishma'amma'am /mæm, mɑːm, məm $ mæm/ noun 1 American English spokenWOMANTALK TO somebody used to address a woman in a polite and respectful way May I help you, ma'am?2 British English spokenHIGHTALK TO somebody used to address the Queen or another woman in authority
Examples from the Corpus
ma'am• Oh ma'am, are these keys yours?• Can I help you today, ma'am?• "Are you done with that?" "Yes, ma'am."Origin ma'am (1600-1700) madam 