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
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
c
d
: a leader of the Shakers
e
: a Latter-day Saint ordained to the Melchizedek priesthood
Examples of elder in a Sentence
Noun (2)
in that Asian society elders are accorded great respect
as your elder in the company, he is within his rights to tell you what to do
it wouldn't hurt to show a little more respect for your elders
as the elder of the contingent of living former presidents, he was accorded a place of highest honor at the ceremonies
Recent Examples on the Web
Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 21 Nov. 2025
While only the church and elders filed the case at the Fifth Court of Appeals, a legal expert said the stay in practice will apply to all the defendants, including former elders and a church staff member.
—Giles Hudson, CBS News, 21 Nov. 2025
Tamia Fowlkes, jsonline.com, 18 Nov. 2025
That’s why experts say having a dedicated elder law attorney is critical.
—Matt Emma, USA Today, 17 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elder
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show current usage.
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Noun
The former Bravo star was sentenced to 78 months in prison after being found guilty of her involvement in a telemarketing fraud scheme that conned people (mostly elders) out of their money.
—Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 21 Nov. 2025
While only the church and elders filed the case at the Fifth Court of Appeals, a legal expert said the stay in practice will apply to all the defendants, including former elders and a church staff member.
—Giles Hudson, CBS News, 21 Nov. 2025
Adjective
The federal fund pays for domestic violence hotlines, child abuse advocacy centers, elder abuse investigators and other services for crime victims across Wisconsin.
—Tamia Fowlkes, jsonline.com, 18 Nov. 2025
That’s why experts say having a dedicated elder law attorney is critical.
—Matt Emma, USA Today, 17 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elder
Cite this Entry
“Elder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elder. Accessed 24 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
elder
1 of 3 noun
el·der
ˈel-dər 
elder
2 of 3 adjective
: of greater age
the elder cousin
Etymology
Noun
Old English ellærn "elder tree"
Adjective
Old English ieldra, comparative form of eald "old"
Medical Definition
elder
noun
el·der
ˈel-dər
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