elder statesman

noun

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, especially in the period 1898–1914.

elder statesman

noun

1. an old, experienced, and eminent person, esp a politician, whose advice is often sought

Word History and Origins

Origin of elder statesman¹

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

Young from two feet closer, drained his and the youngest man on the US team had beaten Europe's elder statesman. 12-6.

From BBC

The question now is whether he, as one of the country’s elder statesmen, will boldly stand up in defense of democracy, or let himself be symbolically pilloried — or worse.

From Salon

Guided by his wife, Sharon, who was his manager and steadying force, Osbourne reinvented himself in the 1990s as an elder statesman of heavy metal.

From Los Angeles Times

Athletics elder statesman, Sir Brendan Foster, will spearhead a campaign to get millions walking or running regularly.

From BBC

Mr Morrison described Mr Adams as "an elder statesman".

From BBC