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
echeloned; echeloning; echelons
: to form or arrange in an echelon
: 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
Scott Huver, People.com, 4 July 2025
As far as he’s concerned, once superyachts reach a certain size, high levels of confidentiality become an everyday part of transacting with the highest echelon of buyers.
—Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 2 July 2025
Last week was not the first time Carlson’s podcast entered the upper echelon of Spotify’s charts.
—Liam Reilly, CNN Money, 26 June 2025
Khamenei’s zealotry is very unlikely to outlive him in Iran’s highest echelons of power.
—Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for echelon
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Noun
The film served as an effective springboard to eventually launch Reiner into the upper echelons of Hollywood filmmakers in the '80s and '90s, with an enviable and diverse roster of near-instant classics to his credit, including When Harry Met Sally, The Princess Bride, Misery and A Few Good Men.
—Scott Huver, People.com, 4 July 2025
As far as he’s concerned, once superyachts reach a certain size, high levels of confidentiality become an everyday part of transacting with the highest echelon of buyers.
—Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 2 July 2025
Last week was not the first time Carlson’s podcast entered the upper echelon of Spotify’s charts.
—Liam Reilly, CNN Money, 26 June 2025
Khamenei’s zealotry is very unlikely to outlive him in Iran’s highest echelons of power.
—Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for echelon
Cite this Entry
“Echelon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/echelon. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.
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