Peeresses

Peeress is the feminine form of peer in the nobility system of the United Kingdom and other monarchies that maintain a system of peerages. It refers to a woman who holds a peerage title in her own right—such as duchess, marchioness, countess, viscountess, or baroness—or a woman who is the wife of a peer and is styled according to her spouse's rank. In everyday language the term is less common than the specific title (for example baroness or countess), and the use of "peeress" tends to appear in historical, ceremonial, or formal contexts.

Women may acquire peerages in their own right through life peerages or hereditary titles, and a wife may be described by courtesy as a peeress depending on the rank of her husband. The distinction between a woman who is a peer in her own right and a wife who is titled by marriage is reflected in the titles she bears and how she is addressed (for example, duchess, countess, viscountess, baroness, or simply Lady).

In modern Britain, female peers participate in public life and governance as members of the peerage; many sit in the House of Lords as life peers, while others may hold hereditary or life titles. The term remains primarily of historical or ceremonial use outside of formal or biographical contexts.