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 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
Melinda Sheckells, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
But he is despised by Thailand’s powerful elites, who saw his rule as corrupt, authoritarian and socially destabilizing.
—Lionel Lim, Fortune, 19 June 2025
Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 23 June 2025
Every elite club remains locked in a battle to grow its brand and the bigger that gets, the more revenues can be generated.
—Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 22 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for elite
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Noun
The area became favored by the elite when the Rockefellers purchased land there in the 1960s.
—Melinda Sheckells, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
But he is despised by Thailand’s powerful elites, who saw his rule as corrupt, authoritarian and socially destabilizing.
—Lionel Lim, Fortune, 19 June 2025
Adjective
In The Gilded Age, Peggy Scott invites Harper to address the elite women in the show about the importance of advocating for women’s suffrage.
—Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 23 June 2025
Every elite club remains locked in a battle to grow its brand and the bigger that gets, the more revenues can be generated.
—Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 22 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for elite
Cite this Entry
“Elite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elite. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
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