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

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
Noun
The purpose of this, elders say, was to continue the genocide of Indigenous peoples already devastated by diseases brought from Europe. Frank Vaisvilas, Journal Sentinel, 24 Sep. 2024 Sensing this once-great dynasty is in decline, the outback’s most powerful factions — rival cattle barons, desert gangsters, Indigenous elders and billionaire miners — move in for the kill, with billions of dollars at stake. Sara Merican, Deadline, 19 Sep. 2024
Adjective
Developer Raul Masvidal, a Miami elder statesman with the kind of name recognition built from years of banking, philanthropy and associations with governors and senators to fuel a candidacy for Miami mayor, has died. Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 25 May 2024 My elder millennials will remember: Before there was Zendaya to reliably shut down the Met Gala red carpet every year, there was Sarah Jessica Parker. Leah Prinzivalli, Allure, 6 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for elder 

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 8 Oct. 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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