The phrase "towering figure" refers to a person who is widely respected, influential, and highly prominent in their field. It suggests that this individual stands out and has a significant impact on others. Full definition
The showdown between the two towering figures thus far in this young season will have to wait for another day. (sbnation.com)
There is an order of magnitude uncertainty in the communication tower figure, too. (realclimate.org)
Like LeWitt in Building 7, and a long - term, meaty Anselm Kiefer installation in a collaboration with the Hall Art Foundation in 2013, the bulk of the new exhibitions are multi-year arrangements with towering figures in contemporary art: Laurie Anderson, Jenny Holzer, James Turrell, Robert Rauschenberg, and Louise Bourgeois. (bostonglobe.com)