silverbacknoun [ C ]
/ˈsɪl.və.bæk//ˈsɪl.vɚ.bæk/also silverback gorilla, /ˌsɪl.və.bæk ɡəˈrɪl.ə//ˌsɪl.vɚ.bæk ɡəˈrɪl.ə/an older male gorilla (= a large ape) that has white or silver hair on its back and is the dominant (= controlling) member of its group:
The large 21-year-old silverback keeps a wary eye over his family group.
an older man who likes to have power and control over other people:
For at least 40 years Norman Mailer was the silverback of the literary scene.