A doyen can be a leader of a group, such as a diplomatic corps. In this regard, the word has been used to refer to someone who is specifically or tacitly allowed to speak for that group.

He held the post of "doyen", a local post that collected taxes and organized the village defense.

Doyen definition: the senior member, as in age, rank, or experience, of a group, class, profession, etc.. See examples of DOYEN used in a sentence.

A doyen or doyenne (from the French word doyen, doyenne in the feminine grammatical gender) is the senior ambassador by length of service in a particular country.

doyen, n. meanings, etymology, pronunciation and more in the Oxford English Dictionary

Oct 2, 2025 · doyen (plural doyens) (obsolete) A commander in charge of ten men. The senior, or eldest male member of a group. quotations

Definition of doyen noun in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

doyen (ˈdɔɪən; French dway) n the senior member of a group, profession, or society [C17: from French, from Late Latin decānus leader of a group of ten; see dean]

A doyen is a person considered to be knowledgeable, experienced, or senior in a specific area, profession, or group. They are often seen as the most respected or prominent person in their …

If you refer to someone as the doyen of a group or profession, you mean that they are the oldest and most experienced and respected member of it.