noun, plural grandes dames /ˈgræn ˈdæmz, ˈdeɪmz; French grɑ̃d ˈdam/ Show Spelled [gran damz, deymz; French grahnd dam] Show IPA . 1.a usually elderly woman of dignified or aristocratic bearing.
2.a woman who is the doyenne of a specific field: a grande dame of the American theater.
Origin:
1735–45; < French: literally, great lady