den mother

American  

noun

1. (in the Boy Scouts) a woman who serves as an adult leader or supervisor of a cub scout den.

2. Informal. a woman who serves as an adviser or protector to a group of people.

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Etymology

Origin of den mother

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

Christina Ricci, who notably played Wednesday in the 1991 film "The Addams Family," also makes an appearance as Marylin Thornhill, a den mother to the female students at Nevermore Academy.

From Salon • Oct. 31, 2022

Wright was equal parts dignified preacher, skilled vocalist and protective den mother, Washington said.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 2, 2022

Though Freeman defended his role as den mother, his acknowledgment of certain rules revealed, again, that a culture of conformity is keeping baseball frozen in its past.

From Washington Post • Apr. 21, 2022

My mom knew that, and she was like the den mother to all of them.

From New York Times • Jan. 24, 2020

The phrase as a den mother is attached to Ms. Basset’s station wagon.

From "Woe Is I" by Patricia T. O'Conner