1. a female conductor of an orchestra or musical ensemble
Usage: somewhat dated
2. a female employee who collects fares on public transportation
Usage: historical; British

Examples

• The conductress raised her baton to begin the symphony.
• She was the first conductress to lead the city’s philharmonic orchestra.
• The bus conductress collected tickets from all the passengers.
• In the 1940s, many conductresses worked on London’s double-decker buses.
• The young conductress impressed audiences with her dynamic conducting style.
• During wartime, conductresses replaced male conductors on many train routes.