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
Charlotte Observer, 12 Nov. 2025
Marco Canoniero / Light Rocket via Getty Images If last year’s ATP Tour Finals exemplified the struggles of the sandwich generation of men’s tennis players, then this year’s event, which started Sunday, marks their essential disappearance from the elite.
—Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025
Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 13 Nov. 2025
New Delhi provided diplomatic protection to the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), an elite Bangladeshi counterterrorism force that targeted opposition politicians, activists, and journalists.
—Muhib Rahman, Foreign Affairs, 12 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elite
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Noun
And averaging roughly two explosive passing plays per game isn’t going to cut it against the NFC’s elite.
—Charlotte Observer, 12 Nov. 2025
Marco Canoniero / Light Rocket via Getty Images If last year’s ATP Tour Finals exemplified the struggles of the sandwich generation of men’s tennis players, then this year’s event, which started Sunday, marks their essential disappearance from the elite.
—Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
Growing up in London, Benedict Cumberbatch’s hard-working parents poured their efforts into sending him to the most elite schools.
—Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 13 Nov. 2025
New Delhi provided diplomatic protection to the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), an elite Bangladeshi counterterrorism force that targeted opposition politicians, activists, and journalists.
—Muhib Rahman, Foreign Affairs, 12 Nov. 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 14 Nov. 2025.
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