maestro

noun

mae·​stro ˈmī-(ˌ)strō How to pronounce maestro (audio)
plural maestros or maestri ˈmī-ˌstrē How to pronounce maestro (audio)
Synonyms of maestro
: a master usually in an art
especially : an eminent composer, conductor, or teacher of music

Synonyms of maestro

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Examples of maestro in a Sentence

a maestro of the violin
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
An instant landmark, the building was designed by Chinese architect Ma Yansong of MAD, working in tandem with executive architect Michael Siegel of Stantec and landscape maestro Mia Lehrer of Studio-MLA. — Mayer Rus, Architectural Digest, 18 Aug. 2026 The thirty-something is an online auction maestro, broadcasting to a few dozen people competing to buy confections with the swipe of a finger. — Andrew Zucker, HollywoodReporter, 17 Aug. 2026 Instead, the film makes much of Reagan trying to get a visa for the sister of Mstislav Rostropovich, a Soviet musical maestro who had defected to the United States. — Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 14 Aug. 2026 John Carpenter, the horror maestro who brought us classics such as Halloween (1978) and The Thing (1982), hasn’t made a movie since 2010’s The Ward. — David Harris, SPIN, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for maestro

Word History

Etymology

Italian, literally, master, from Latin magister — more at master

First Known Use

1607, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of maestro was in 1607

Browse Nearby Words

maestral
maestro
maestro di cappella
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Cite this Entry

“Maestro.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/maestro. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

maestro

noun
mae·​stro ˈmī-strō How to pronounce maestro (audio)
plural maestros or maestri -ˌstrē How to pronounce maestro (audio)
: a master of an art and especially of music
Etymology

from Italian maestro, literally "master," from Latin magister "master, one who holds a higher political office" — related to magistrate, master

More from Merriam-Webster on maestro

Nglish: Translation of maestro for Spanish Speakers

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