Refers to a woman of high social standing, refinement, or noble birth. Often used in historical or formal contexts.
The lady smiled gracefully.
She behaves just like a noblewoman.
Compound of 貴 (noble) and 婦人 (woman, lady). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the word has been used since the Meiji era to translate Western concepts of 'lady' and 'noblewoman'.