1
a
singular or plural in construction
: the choice part : cream
the elite of the entertainment world
b
singular or plural in construction
: the best of a class
superachievers who dominate the computer elite—
Marilyn Chase
Marilyn Chase
c
singular or plural in construction
: the socially superior part of society
how the French-speaking elite … was changing—Economist
Economist
d
: a group of persons who by virtue of position or education exercise much power or influence
members of the ruling elite
e
: a member of such an elite
—usually used in plural
the elites …, pursuing their studies in Europe—Robert Wernick
Robert Wernick2
: a typewriter type providing 12 characters to the linear inch
: of, relating to, serving, or being part of an elite
seeking to attain elite status
an elite group
an elite institution/school
often
: superior in quality, rank, skill, etc.
an elite performer
an elite athlete
an athlete with elite skills
The elite chess players of today are of no school. They hail from all over the world … —Garry Kasparov
Garry Kasparov Examples of elite in a Sentence
Noun
the winners of this science award represent the elite of our high schools
the country's elite owned or controlled most of the wealth
Recent Examples on the Web
Newsweek, 21 Feb. 2025
Crosby’s still got it There will be a day when Crosby is no longer among the elite of the elite.
—Arpon Basu, The Athletic, 21 Feb. 2025
Jeff Gluck, The Athletic, 22 Feb. 2025
Liukin designed to event with USA Gymnastics to highlight Level 10 athletes in the Women’s Development Program, giving them the opportunity to compete on the same podium as their elite counterparts.
—Kasey Nelson, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elite
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Noun
This departure from post-Berlin Wall universalist liberalism has been a long time in the making, and Vance's incisive rebuke of European elites powerfully drove home the point.
—Newsweek, 21 Feb. 2025
Crosby’s still got it There will be a day when Crosby is no longer among the elite of the elite.
—Arpon Basu, The Athletic, 21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
Jeff: Austin Cindric truly is an elite superspeedway racer.
—Jeff Gluck, The Athletic, 22 Feb. 2025
Liukin designed to event with USA Gymnastics to highlight Level 10 athletes in the Women’s Development Program, giving them the opportunity to compete on the same podium as their elite counterparts.
—Kasey Nelson, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elite
Articles Related to elite
Cite this Entry
“Elite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elite. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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