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
echeloned; echeloning; echelons
: to form or arrange in an echelon
: 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
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
Mark Schindler, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025
Extending its existing infrastructure business with a new reach into the upper echelons of the enterprise storage market promises to make Lenovo a disruptive storage powerhouse.
—Steve McDowell, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
The pop star’s endorsement, in addition to several viral TikTok videos and being picked up by Urban Outfitters, propelled the brand into a higher echelon of the cosmetics industry.
—Bryan West, USA TODAY, 17 Jan. 2025
The integration of Motown’s acts into the upper echelons of the pop charts had a ripple effect, leading groups like the Supremes to be invited to play clubs with predominantly white audiences.
—Teresa Nowakowski, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Jan. 2025
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Noun
Similarly to Washington, the Cyclones lack signature wins to force moving into the upper echelon.
—Mark Schindler, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025
Extending its existing infrastructure business with a new reach into the upper echelons of the enterprise storage market promises to make Lenovo a disruptive storage powerhouse.
—Steve McDowell, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
The pop star’s endorsement, in addition to several viral TikTok videos and being picked up by Urban Outfitters, propelled the brand into a higher echelon of the cosmetics industry.
—Bryan West, USA TODAY, 17 Jan. 2025
The integration of Motown’s acts into the upper echelons of the pop charts had a ripple effect, leading groups like the Supremes to be invited to play clubs with predominantly white audiences.
—Teresa Nowakowski, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for echelon
Dictionary Entries Near echelon
Cite this Entry
“Echelon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/echelon. Accessed 5 Feb. 2025.
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