| 1. | an influential citizen, often a retired high official, whose advice is sought by government leaders. |
| 2. | any influential member of a company, group, etc., whose advice is respected. |
| 3. | Japanese History. any of the political leaders who retired from official office but continued to exert a strong influence in the government and who controlled the emperor's privy council, esp. in the period 1898–1914. |
| elder statesman n. A prominent, highly experienced older man, especially one acting as an unofficial adviser. |