1
a
singular or plural in construction
: the choice part : cream
the elite of the entertainment world
b
singular or plural in construction
: the best of a class
superachievers who dominate the computer elite—
Marilyn Chase
Marilyn Chase
c
singular or plural in construction
: the socially superior part of society
how the French-speaking elite … was changing—Economist
Economist
d
: a group of persons who by virtue of position or education exercise much power or influence
members of the ruling elite
e
: a member of such an elite
—usually used in plural
the elites …, pursuing their studies in Europe—Robert Wernick
Robert Wernick2
: a typewriter type providing 12 characters to the linear inch
: of, relating to, serving, or being part of an elite
seeking to attain elite status
an elite group
an elite institution/school
often
: superior in quality, rank, skill, etc.
an elite performer
an elite athlete
an athlete with elite skills
The elite chess players of today are of no school. They hail from all over the world … —Garry Kasparov
Garry Kasparov Synonyms
Examples of elite in a Sentence
Noun
the winners of this science award represent the elite of our high schools
the country's elite owned or controlled most of the wealth
Recent Examples on the Web
Jason Fields, Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2024
But the reality is that the projects of political elites in the 21st century—defined by militarism and the embrace of global economic and trade systems that prioritize corporate profits over economic and social well-being—have had vast costs.
—Nancy Okail, Foreign Affairs, 3 Dec. 2024
Hank Gola, New York Daily News, 6 Dec. 2024
New policies announced Wednesday by the LPGA and USGA will prohibit golfers who were assigned as male at birth and did not transition to female before starting male puberty from competing in the organizations’ elite events starting in 2025.
—Austin Knoblauch, Los Angeles Times, 5 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for elite 
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Noun
Li's predecessor, Wei Fenghe, who held the defense portfolio from 2018 to 2023, was also charged with corruption after retiring amid the purge of ongoing Chinese military and political elites.
—Jason Fields, Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2024
But the reality is that the projects of political elites in the 21st century—defined by militarism and the embrace of global economic and trade systems that prioritize corporate profits over economic and social well-being—have had vast costs.
—Nancy Okail, Foreign Affairs, 3 Dec. 2024
Adjective
The Bengals can’t stop anybody and the Cowboys certainly aren’t going to stop Joe Burrow, who is playing at an elite level on a bad team.
—Hank Gola, New York Daily News, 6 Dec. 2024
New policies announced Wednesday by the LPGA and USGA will prohibit golfers who were assigned as male at birth and did not transition to female before starting male puberty from competing in the organizations’ elite events starting in 2025.
—Austin Knoblauch, Los Angeles Times, 5 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for elite
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Cite this Entry
“Elite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elite. Accessed 11 Dec. 2024.
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