proper noun

Notre-Dame

NOT-ruh DAHM

Notre-Dame (proper noun) means the medieval Gothic cathedral on the Île de la Cité in Paris, begun in the twelfth century and badly damaged by fire in 2019. Example: “The bells of Notre-Dame can be heard across the Seine.”

proper noun

The medieval Gothic cathedral on the Île de la Cité in Paris, begun in the twelfth century and badly damaged by fire in 2019.

"The bells of Notre-Dame can be heard across the Seine."

"Restoration work on Notre-Dame drew donations from around the world."

chiefly US The University of Notre Dame, a Catholic university in Indiana, in the United States, known especially for its American football team.

"He turned down Notre Dame to play in the Big Ten."

A name given to many Catholic churches, cathedrals and schools dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

"Notre-Dame de Chartres is famous for its blue stained glass."

How to Use Notre-Dame

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe famous cathedral in Paris, or the American university named after the Virgin Mary.

When to use it

A proper noun; capitalise both parts.

Memory tip

Context decides the pronunciation: the Paris cathedral keeps the French sound, the Indiana university does not.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

Sacré-Cœur Sainte-Chapelle Nostradamus →

Common pairings

Notre-Dame Cathedral Notre-Dame de Paris the Notre Dame fire Notre Dame football

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The bells of _____ can be heard across the Seine.

Etymology

From French Notre-Dame, 'Our Lady', a title of the Virgin Mary.

Origin: French

Synonyms

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Notre-Dame de Paris

Rhymes for Notre-Dame

name came game dame same fame tame lame flame blame frame shame

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does Notre Dame mean in English?

Our Lady. It is a French title for the Virgin Mary, which is why so many Catholic churches carry the name.

How is Notre Dame pronounced?

In French it is roughly NOT-ruh DAHM. In the United States, the university is usually said NOH-ter DAYM, which is the accepted pronunciation for the school even among people who say the French cathedral differently.

Is Notre-Dame hyphenated?

French usage hyphenates the name of the building, Notre-Dame de Paris. The American university writes itself without a hyphen: the University of Notre Dame.