elder

1 of 3

noun (1)

el·​der ˈel-dər 

: elderberry sense 2

elder

2 of 3

adjective

1

: of earlier birth or greater age

his elder brother

2

: of or relating to earlier times : former

3

archaic : of or relating to a more advanced time of life

4

: prior or superior in rank, office, or validity

elder

3 of 3

noun (2)

1

: one living in an earlier period

2

a

: one who is older : senior

a child trying to please her elders

b

: an aged person

3

: one having authority by virtue of age and experience

the village elders

4

: any of various officers of religious groups: such as

a

: presbyter sense 1

b

: a permanent officer elected by a Presbyterian congregation and ordained to serve on the session and assist the pastor at communion

c

: minister sense 2

d

: a leader of the Shakers

e

: a Latter-day Saint ordained to the Melchizedek priesthood

eldership

ˈel-dər-ˌship 

noun

Synonyms of elder

Noun (2)

• senior
• oldster
• geriatric
• ancient
• senior citizen
• old-timer

Examples of elder in a Sentence

Noun (2)

in that Asian society elders are accorded great respect

as your elder in the company, he is within his rights to tell you what to do

it wouldn't hurt to show a little more respect for your elders

as the elder of the contingent of living former presidents, he was accorded a place of highest honor at the ceremonies

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

For his part, Marshall, who has served as an elder and a deacon in his own church, previously championed removing a federal prohibition on churches and other religious organizations directly engaging in political campaigns. —Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2026

Within the same month the lawsuit was filed, Robinson filed a $500 million countersuit accusing the former housekeepers of defamation, false light, financial elder abuse, conversion, and invasion of privacy. —Julie Sharp, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026

Adjective

The first fight between on-the-rocks elder millennials Josh (Oscar Isaac) and Lindsay (Carey Mulligan), witnessed by the young betrotheds Austin (Charles Melton) and Ashley (Cailee Spaeny), creates the toxic connection between the couples and sets off everything else that happens on the show. —Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 24 Apr. 2026

The former owner of a San Diego residential care facility who pleaded guilty to elder abuse charges related to neglect of the business’ residents was sentenced Tuesday to one year of home detention and two years of probation. —City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English eldre, from Old English ellærn; perhaps akin to Old English alor alder — more at alder

Adjective

Middle English, from Old English ieldra, comparative of eald old

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing elder

• box elder
• elder care
• elder statesman
• marsh elder
• the elder

Rhymes for elder

• welder

Kids Definition

elder

1 of 3 noun

el·​der ˈel-dər 

: elderberry sense 2

elder

2 of 3 adjective

: of greater age

the elder cousin

elder

3 of 3 noun

1

: one who is older : senior

2

: a person having authority because of age and experience

the village elders

3

: any of various church officers

eldership

-ˌship 

noun

Etymology

Noun

Old English ellærn "elder tree"

Adjective

Old English ieldra, comparative form of eald "old"

Medical Definition

elder

noun

el·​der ˈel-dər 

: elderberry sense 2