echelon

1 of 2

noun

ech·​e·​lon ˈe-shə-ˌlän How to pronounce echelon (audio)
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

echelon

2 of 2

verb

echeloned; echeloning; echelons

transitive verb

: to form or arrange in an echelon

intransitive verb

: 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."

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
Noun
But federal authorities also revealed that Smirnov, arrested Feb. 14 at a Las Vegas airport, got the false claim from his contacts in the upper echelons of Russian intelligence. Josh Meyer, USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 2024 While the upper echelons of the film industry spent yesterday evening lusting after golden statues, there was a much more inclusive wave of gold (and silver) to behold at the Vanity Fair Oscars After-Party. Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 11 Mar. 2024 This approach not only saves time but positions the venture more favorably within the firm’s decision-making echelons. Ryan Howard, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024 But these designers operate within fashion’s upper echelon, charging between $1,000 to $2,000 for their little jokes. Jessica Testa, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2024 Written in her witty and conversational style, the book chronicles her early upbringing in New York City to her rise through Manhattan’s social circles and eventual ascent into the upper echelons of fashion. Tim Chan, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 Mar. 2024 Gosling is the unmovable center of gravity in these films, leaning into the kind of star image that had worked for his Blade Runner scene partner, Harrison Ford, but made little use of the supporting charm and dexterity that put Gosling in his own echelon of present-day actors. Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 7 Feb. 2024 Young Casanova was able to promote himself into the upper echelons of Venetian society through dissembling, trickery, and bluff. Gaile Robinson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Jan. 2024 Soon, perhaps as early as Friday night in Portland, the Pacers will be able to start two All-Stars and surround them with a supporting cast good enough to at least make the teams in the highest echelon of the Eastern Conference nervous. Dustin Dopirak, The Indianapolis Star, 19 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'echelon.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French échelon, literally, rung of a ladder, from Old French eschelon, from eschele ladder, from Late Latin scala

First Known Use

Noun

1796, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Verb

circa 1860, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of echelon was in 1796

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Dictionary Entries Near echelon

Cite this Entry

“Echelon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/echelon. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

echelon

noun
ech·​e·​lon
ˈesh-ə-ˌlän
1
: a formation of units (as troops or airplanes) resembling a series of steps
also : a unit in such a formation
2
: one of a series of levels especially of authority
involved officials at every echelon
also : the people who are at such a level
the upper echelons of the government

More from Merriam-Webster on echelon

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