doyen
Americannoun
plural
doyensnoun
Other Word Forms
- doyenne noun
Etymology
Origin of doyen
1665–75; < French; Old French deien < Latin decānus dean
Explanation
Use the noun doyen to describe the person who has been part of a group the longest, such as Mr. Thomas, the doyen of the accounting department. He is the doyen because everyone else joined after he did. Generally speaking, the doyen isn't just the person who has been there the longest — the doyen is also an expert, perhaps in a specialized area that the others don't know as much about. A doyen is distinguished in a way that earns leadership status, as indicated by the word's origin in the Old French word deien, which comes from the Latin word decanus, or "head of ten monks in a monastery" or "commander of ten soldiers."
Vocabulary lists containing doyen
English Words Derived from French, List 10
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Mr. Dilenschneider, the doyen of American public relations, is the founder of the Dilenschneider Group, a strategic-counseling firm.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 19, 2025
The ANC said in a statement: “He was a globally acclaimed playwright, composer and producer. We have lost a true legend, a doyen, and a genuine ambassador of theatre.”
From Seattle Times • Dec. 28, 2023
Meanwhile, Roy Hodgson's concise, dignified and measured contribution in his post-match interview leaves him as the doyen among managers.
From BBC • Nov. 26, 2023
“Drag Race” doyen and Emmy record holder RuPaul is a favorite, again, in the 2023 reality competition hosting category.
From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 15, 2023
Lawrence’s position as doyen of the Rad Lab and Teller’s as the indispensable genius of thermonuclear technology made compromise impossible.
From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
