echelon

1 of 2

noun

ech·​e·​lon ˈe-shə-ˌlän 

1

a(1)

: an arrangement of a body of troops with its units each somewhat to the left or right of the one in the rear like a series of steps

(2)

: a formation of units or individuals resembling such an echelon

geese flying in echelon

(3)

: a flight formation in which each airplane flies at a certain elevation above or below and at a certain distance behind and to the right or left of the airplane ahead

b

: any of several military units in echelon formation

also : any unit or group acting in a disciplined or organized manner

served in a combat echelon

2

a

: one of a series of levels or grades in an organization or field of activity

involved employees at every echelon

b

: a group of individuals at a particular level or grade in an organization or field of activity

the upper echelons of management

echelon

2 of 2

verb

echeloned; echeloning; echelons

transitive verb

: to form or arrange in an echelon

intransitive verb

: to take position in an echelon

Did you know?

Echelon comes from scala, a Latin word meaning "ladder" that is also the source of French eschelon, meaning "rung of a ladder." Over time, the French word came to mean "step," "grade," or "level." English borrowed the word and upped its meaning to "a level or category within an organization or group of people."

Synonyms

Noun

• degree
• footing
• level
• place
• position
• rank
• ranking
• reach(es)
• rung
• situation
• standing
• station
• status
• stratum

Examples of echelon in a Sentence

Noun

the lower echelons of the bureaucracy

We heard stories of corruption in the upper echelons of the firm.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Explore See latest videos, charts and news Bad Bunny Lionel Messi Bad Bunny — whose dynamism has vaulted him from top-tier festivals to the upper echelons of global music icons — shared how their initial meeting was imbued with mutual insight and enthusiasm for this collection. —Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 21 Oct. 2024

Hurricane Helene also went through a period of rapid intensification but did not get anywhere near the upper echelon of fastest intensifying storms on record, as Milton did. —Andrew Freedman, Axios, 15 Oct. 2024

The new president has, in turn, tried to sideline young radicals from the upper echelons of the state’s bureaucracy. —Saeid Golkar, Foreign Affairs, 11 Oct. 2024

Below the top 10, there are plenty of other new arrivals that have yet to rise into the upper echelon of Friday’s most exciting projects. —Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 20 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French échelon, literally, rung of a ladder, from Old French eschelon, from eschele ladder, from Late Latin scala

First Known Use

Noun

1796, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Verb

circa 1860, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Phrases Containing echelon

• rear echelon

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!

Kids Definition

echelon

noun

ech·​e·​lon

ˈesh-ə-ˌlän

1

: a formation of units (as troops or airplanes) resembling a series of steps

also : a unit in such a formation

2

: one of a series of levels especially of authority

involved officials at every echelon

also : the people who are at such a level

the upper echelons of the government