select

1 of 3

adjective

se·​lect sə-ˈlekt How to pronounce select (audio)
1
: chosen from a number or group by fitness or preference
2
a
: of special value or excellence : superior, choice
b
: exclusively or fastidiously chosen often with regard to social, economic, or cultural characteristics
3
: judicious or restrictive in choice : discriminating
pleased with the select appreciation of his booksOsbert Sitwell
selectable adjective
selectness noun
selector noun

select

2 of 3

verb

selected; selecting; selects

transitive verb

: to choose (as by fitness or excellence) from a number or group : pick out

intransitive verb

: to make a choice

select

3 of 3

noun

: one that is select
often used in plural

Examples of select in a Sentence

Adjective Only a few select employees attended the meeting. A select committee was formed to plan the project. The group was small and select. A select number of people are invited. Only a select few will be accepted into the program. He only drinks select wines. Verb Please select one item from the list. The school will only select 12 applicants for enrollment. Knowing the importance of making the right choice, he selected carefully. Select “Insert” from the “Edit” menu.
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.
Adjective
Join Fox News for access to this content Plus special access to select articles and other premium content with your account - free of charge. Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 19 Apr. 2025 In addition to the teams that advanced to the finals, select competitors from other schools will compete in the individual finals despite their teams not advancing. Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Apr. 2025
Verb
Wells began his college career at Division II Sonoma State and spent one season at Washington State before the Memphis Grizzlies selected him with the 39th overall pick in the second round of the 2024 NBA draft. Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 21 Apr. 2025 All products featured on Architectural Digest are independently selected by our editors. Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 20 Apr. 2025
Noun
Granted, the offensive line’s competence will dictate a lot of how much success any running back the Cowboys select will have. Saad Yousuf, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025 Her selects can be found on Cupshe.com in the Cupshe x Olivia Culpo’s Vacation Edit, which includes 30 bikinis, one-pieces, swim cover-ups and vacation dresses. Dahvi Shira, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for select

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin selectus, past participle of seligere to select, from se- apart (from sed, se without) + legere to gather, select — more at suicide, legend

First Known Use

Adjective

circa 1555, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1566, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Noun

1610, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of select was circa 1555

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Select.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/select. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

select

1 of 2 verb
se·​lect sə-ˈlekt How to pronounce select (audio)
1
: to pick out from a number or group : choose
2
: to choose (a particular action or a section of text on a computer screen) especially using a mouse

select

2 of 2 adjective
1
: chosen from a number or group to include the best or most suitable individuals
invited only a few select employees
2
: of special value or excellence : superior, choice
a select hotel

Medical Definition

select

intransitive verb
se·​lect sə-ˈlekt How to pronounce select (audio)
: to cause a specified gene, trait, or organism to become more frequent or less frequent
usually used with for or against
animal breeders need to select simultaneously for improved conformity to breed characteristics and against defective genes causing disease

More from Merriam-Webster on select

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