What is the female equivalent of a Knight?

In the British system the female equivalent of address to Sir for a British knighthood is Dame . This can be the title of a woman who has been made a Dame Commander or Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath, Order of St Michael and St George, Royal Victorian Order, or Order of the British Empire. Women who are appointed to the Order of the Garter or Order of the Thistle are not given the tile of "Dame" but "Lady".

Because there is no female equivalent of a Knight Bachelor, women deserving an honour of this rank are appointed Dames of an Order of chivalry instead.