elite

1 of 3

noun

1
a
singular or plural in construction : the choice part : cream
the elite of the entertainment world
b
singular or plural in construction : the best of a class
superachievers who dominate the computer eliteMarilyn Chase
c
singular or plural in construction : the socially superior part of society
how the French-speaking elite … was changingEconomist
d
: a group of persons who by virtue of position or education exercise much power or influence
members of the ruling elite
e
: a member of such an elite
usually used in plural
the elites …, pursuing their studies in EuropeRobert Wernick
2
: a typewriter type providing 12 characters to the linear inch

elite

2 of 3

adjective

: of, relating to, serving, or being part of an elite
seeking to attain elite status
an elite group
an elite institution/school
often : superior in quality, rank, skill, etc.
an elite performer
an elite athlete
an athlete with elite skills
The elite chess players of today are of no school. They hail from all over the world … Garry Kasparov

élite, élitism

3 of 3

chiefly British spellings of elite, elitism

Examples of elite in a Sentence

Noun the winners of this science award represent the elite of our high schools the country's elite owned or controlled most of the wealth
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The elites, of course, include America’s biggest stars in movies, TV, sports and music. Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024 Unlike other, sycophantic portions of right-wing media, Kirk isn’t simply a hanger-on to the conservative elite. Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
The results of this election seem to confirm the idea that, far from the aberration or fluke that many observers have portrayed him as being, Trump captures and reflects the American spirit, at this moment in history, far more accurately than his meritocratic, elite, Establishment foes. Foreign Affairs, 7 Nov. 2024 Thanks to Daniels, the Commanders have an elite offense that ranks as one of the best in NFL history among those led by rookie QBs. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for elite 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French élite, from Old French eslite, from feminine of eslit, past participle of eslire to choose, from Latin eligere

First Known Use

Noun

1738, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1808, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of elite was in 1738

Dictionary Entries Near elite

Cite this Entry

“Elite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elite. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

elite

noun
1
: the part or group having the highest quality or importance
2
: a small powerful group of people
elite adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on elite

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