bridesmaid

[ brahydz-meyd ]
/ ˈbraɪdzˌmeɪd /

noun

a young woman who attends the bride at a wedding ceremony.
Informal. a person, group, etc., that is in a secondary position, never quite attains a goal, etc.: Bridesmaids for 12 seasons, the Eagles finally won the championship.

Origin of bridesmaid

First recorded in 1545–55; bride1 + 's1 + maid

Example sentences from the Web for bridesmaid

British Dictionary definitions for bridesmaid

bridesmaid
/ (ˈbraɪdzˌmeɪd) /

noun

a girl or young unmarried woman who attends a bride at her wedding Compare matron of honour, maid of honour