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
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
b
: a permanent officer elected by a Presbyterian congregation and ordained to serve on the session and assist the pastor at communion
c
d
: a leader of the Shakers
e
: a Mormon ordained to the Melchizedek priesthood
Synonyms
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
Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 24 Dec. 2024
It's reserved for the sort of elders or other regulars.
—Laurel Wamsley, NPR, 22 Dec. 2024
Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 23 Dec. 2024
Though just barely 20 years old, Stranahan’s is one of American single malt’s elder statesmen and a pioneer of the movement.
—Erik Ofgang, Forbes, 8 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for elder 
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Noun
One refrain in the script is the younger workers repeatedly lecturing their elders — with impunity — to do better.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 24 Dec. 2024
It's reserved for the sort of elders or other regulars.
—Laurel Wamsley, NPR, 22 Dec. 2024
Adjective
Was it meant to represent Adrien Stern, Thierry’s elder son and heir apparent?
—Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 23 Dec. 2024
Though just barely 20 years old, Stranahan’s is one of American single malt’s elder statesmen and a pioneer of the movement.
—Erik Ofgang, Forbes, 8 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for elder
Articles Related to elder
Dictionary Entries Near elder
Cite this Entry
“Elder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elder. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
elder
1 of 3 noun
el·der
ˈel-dər 
elder
2 of 3 adjective
: of greater age
the elder cousin
Etymology
Noun
Old English ellærn "elder tree"
Adjective
Old English ieldra, comparative form of eald "old"
Medical Definition
elder
noun
el·der
ˈel-dər
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