elder

1 of 3

noun (1)

el·​der ˈel-dər How to pronounce elder (audio)

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
b
: a permanent officer elected by a Presbyterian congregation and ordained to serve on the session and assist the pastor at communion
d
: a leader of the Shakers
e
: a Mormon ordained to the Melchizedek priesthood
eldership noun

Examples of elder in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
But hundreds of interviews with elders have taught me that many of the challenges of aging are shared by everyone, at every age. Charley Locke, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2024 In addition to being a highly respected educator, renowned for his deep knowledge of astronomy from both an Indigenous and a Western approach, Buck is an elder and ceremonial leader for the Cree, one of Canada’s largest First Nations groups. Lise Pedersen, Variety, 15 Mar. 2024 Another elder, octogenarian Abu Kifah Qudieh, remembers as a small boy watching the arrival of tens of thousands of refugees who flowed into Gaza in 1948. Ghada Abdulfattah, The Christian Science Monitor, 1 Mar. 2024 Sudden death commands everyone’s attention, oh elders, oh heads of the family. Joshua Kagavi, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Feb. 2024 Tribes were immediately critical, pointing out that the exhibit’s title suggested the massacre was a two-sided battle when the tribes had not sought a confrontation with the U.S. government, whose troops killed women, children and elders at Sand Creek. Mary Hudetz, ProPublica, 21 Feb. 2024 But in an example of how scientists can create better connections even with remote communities, Carla Handley of Arizona State University readily agreed in 2017 to share the results of her genetics research on the Borana ethnic group in northern Kenya, at community elders’ request. Cameron Pugh, The Christian Science Monitor, 5 Mar. 2024 The Results For many elders, there is a period of adjustment after giving up the too-large house that varies with the individual. Carolyn Rosenblatt, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024 McAuley says senior centers are where elders can get information about programs through their local governments, and adds that church youth groups often provide assistance in inclement weather and during the winter season. Carley Thornell, The Enquirer, 23 Feb. 2024
Adjective
The Red Sox elder statesman had gotten to first base in the mid-June matchup, but dissatisfied, broke for second well before the Yankees pitcher started his windup. Varun Shankar, BostonGlobe.com, 3 Aug. 2023 Because of a shortage of elder-care infrastructure and workers, many of them will face the disease with far too little support. Marion Renault, The New Yorker, 23 Nov. 2022 In 1988, Rinke's elder brother and two other pilots died when their training flight crashed just after takeoff at what was then Oakland-Pontiac Airport in Waterford. Paul Egan, Detroit Free Press, 4 Apr. 2022 In October 2021, Representative John Larsen (D–CT) introduced a comprehensive plan to save Social Security and eliminate elder poverty. Teresa Ghilarducci, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'elder.' 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 (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

Time Traveler
The first known use of elder was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near elder

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

elder

1 of 3 noun
el·​der ˈel-dər How to pronounce elder (audio)

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 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 How to pronounce elder (audio)

More from Merriam-Webster on elder

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