grande dame
noun
plural grandes dames
ˈgrän-ˈdäm(z) 
also grande dames
ˈgrän-ˈdäm(z)
also grande dames
ˈgrän-ˈdäm(z)
1
: a usually elderly woman of great prestige or ability
Examples of grande dame in a Sentence
the city's grandes dames still hold considerable sway in its cultural life
Recent Examples on the Web
With spring fast approaching, De L’Europe Amsterdam, the storied grande dame of the Dutch capital’s hotel scene, is inviting guests to revel in the considerable splendor of Holland’s centuries-old heritage as a flower powerhouse.
—
Alexandra Kirkman, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024
Burnett guest stars as Norma, the grande dame of Palm Beach high society and a keeper of secrets with more than a few of her own.
—Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Dec. 2023
Elaine Stritch, the grande dame of Broadway musicals, performed there, too.
—Reggie Nadelson, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2024
Unveiled in the summer of 2022, this modern grande dame taking up residence in the former Old Post Office Building offers a posh stay merging history with contemporary comforts.
—Katie Chang, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024
The décor suits the modern grande dame feel, with marble and chrome-topped cabinets, slightly art deco-style lighting, and fancy swirling carpets.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 5 Jan. 2024
Irene Camber, an Italian fencer whose elegant grasp of the foil earned her a gold medal at the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki and an enduring reputation as a grande dame of her sport, died Feb. 23 at her home in Lissone, near Milan.
—Emily Langer, Washington Post, 28 Feb. 2024
Travelers familiar with the grande dame of Hanalei Bay, the St. Regis Princeville, won’t recognize the long-standing resort following its April grand reopening.
—Melinda Fulmer, Robb Report, 30 June 2023
First delivered in 1977, Sikorsky’s S-76 remains the grande dame of corporate helicopters.
—Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 24 Feb. 2024
Alexandra Kirkman, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024
Burnett guest stars as Norma, the grande dame of Palm Beach high society and a keeper of secrets with more than a few of her own.
—Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Dec. 2023
Elaine Stritch, the grande dame of Broadway musicals, performed there, too.
—Reggie Nadelson, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2024
Unveiled in the summer of 2022, this modern grande dame taking up residence in the former Old Post Office Building offers a posh stay merging history with contemporary comforts.
—Katie Chang, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024
The décor suits the modern grande dame feel, with marble and chrome-topped cabinets, slightly art deco-style lighting, and fancy swirling carpets.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 5 Jan. 2024
Irene Camber, an Italian fencer whose elegant grasp of the foil earned her a gold medal at the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki and an enduring reputation as a grande dame of her sport, died Feb. 23 at her home in Lissone, near Milan.
—Emily Langer, Washington Post, 28 Feb. 2024
Travelers familiar with the grande dame of Hanalei Bay, the St. Regis Princeville, won’t recognize the long-standing resort following its April grand reopening.
—Melinda Fulmer, Robb Report, 30 June 2023
First delivered in 1977, Sikorsky’s S-76 remains the grande dame of corporate helicopters.
—Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 24 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'grande dame.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
French, literally, great lady
First Known Use
1775, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near grande dame
Cite this Entry
“Grande dame.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grande%20dame. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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