doyenne

UK: /dɔɪˈɛn/

US: /dɔɪˈɛn, ˈdɔɪən, dwɑˈjɛn/

US: (doi en′; Fr. dwa yen′)

Inflections of 'doyenne' (n): npl: doyennes

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

doy•enne /dɔɪˈɛn, ˈdɔɪən, dwɑˈyɛn/   n. [countable] , pl. doy•ennes /dɔɪˈɛnz, dwɑˈyɛn/.  

1. the senior woman, as in age or experience, of a group or profession:
   She was the doyenne of the press corps covering the Pentagon.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

doy•enne  (doi en′; Fr. dwa yen′), n., pl. doy•ennes 

(doi enz′; Fr. dwa yen′). 
1. a woman who is the senior member, as in age or rank, of a group, class, profession, etc.

• French, feminine of doyen doyen
• 1900–05

Usage

See -enne.