echelon

1 of 2

noun

ech·​e·​lon ˈe-shə-ˌlän 

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."

Synonyms of echelon

Noun

• level
• ranking
• rank
• position
• place

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

Since 1992, when the first of Hoshoryu’s countrymen began competing, there have been more than seventy Mongolian rikishi, many of whom have dominated sumo’s upper echelons. —Joshua Hunt, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026

The scandal intensifies scrutiny on the monarchy’s role and governance, with critics questioning how power is wielded within Britain’s upper echelons. —Danica Kirka, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2026

Bankman-Fried was a longtime supporter of progressive causes and is the son of two Stanford law professors who carried considerable influence in the upper echelons of the Democratic Party. —Leo Schwartz, Fortune, 24 Feb. 2026

Tracking the resignations, firings and investigations The Justice Department’s release of millions of files related to Jeffrey Epstein has shaken the upper echelons of power across the globe. —Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 23 Feb. 2026

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 1859, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Phrases Containing echelon

• rear echelon

Rhymes for echelon

• aileron
• antiphon
• autobahn
• carillon
• castellan
• celadon
• cephalon
• chitosan
• cynodon
• denouement
• deuteron
• epsilon

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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