1. A woman who is the owner or manager of a hotel, inn, or boarding house, especially in Italy or Mediterranean regions.
Usage: Often used in travel or hospitality contexts; Italian origin; may appear in English travel writing or fiction
2. A woman who employs workers or has authority over servants or staff.
Usage: Archaic or literary usage; Italian origin

Examples

• The padrona of the small hotel greeted us warmly at the entrance.
• She worked as a padrona, managing the daily operations of the seaside inn.
• The padrona knew every guest by name and their preferred breakfast.
• In the novel, the padrona commanded respect from all her household staff.