grande dame

Meanings

1. A woman who is high-ranking, socially prominent, or has a dignified character, especially one who is advanced in age and haughty.
2. A woman who is accomplished and influential, and is a respected senior figure in a particular field; a doyenne.
3. A very highly regarded and well-known institution or structure, or large conveyance such as a ship.

Etymology

Borrowed from French grande dame, from grande (the feminine form of grand (“great, grand”)) + dame (“lady”). Doublet of grandam. The plural form grandes dames is borrowed from French grandes dames.