elite

noun

\ ā-ˈlēt,

i-, ē-\

Definition of elite

(Entry 1 of 3)

1a 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

c singular or plural in construction : the socially superior part of society how the French-speaking elite … was changing — 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

2 : a typewriter type providing 12 characters to the linear inch

elite

adjective

Definition of elite (Entry 2 of 3)

: 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

élite, élitism

Definition of élite (Entry 3 of 3)

chiefly British spellings of elite , elitism

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about elite

Keep scrolling for more

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: Noun

Shedding their elitist history, successful museums are not temples for the elite. — WSJ, "What Place Has Politics in a House of Art?," 27 Dec. 2018 The giant volcanoes of Hawaii's Big Island held a special place for the Polynesians who first settled there, with the peak of Mauna Kea being reserved for that society's elite. — John Timmer, Ars Technica, "Hawaiian Supreme Court gives go-ahead to giant telescope," 1 Nov. 2018 At the top end are rarefied spaces reserved for airline elite. — Suzanne Rowan Kelleher, Condé Nast Traveler, "The Best Ways to Get Airport Lounge Access for Every Type of Traveler," 21 Aug. 2018 In America’s colonial era, hunting remained a sport reserved for the elite. — Bruce Barcott, New York Times, "How Hunting Became a Macho Sport," 22 June 2018 Between obligatory prayers, meals and meetings in household Majilis offer prime networking opportunities for Dubai's business elite. — Adrian Lydon And Tom Page, CNN, "The business of Ramadan: Religion and capital converge in the UAE," 12 June 2018 There's no doubt that Wigan enjoyed its day at the national stadium in 2013, as Portsmouth fans did in 2008, and fans of those clubs may never have a better day in their supporting lives, but for the elite, the FA Cup barely matters. — Jonathan Wilson, SI.com, "FA Cup Victory a Probable Farewell Gift for Antonio Conte," 19 May 2018 Such concerns could not be further from the vast amusement park called Baghdad Island on the northern outskirts of the capital, which existed for Saddam-era elite after it was completed in 1982. — Scott Peterson, The Christian Science Monitor, "In Baghdad, Iraqis embrace return to normalcy, with eye on its fragility," 7 May 2018 Its charismatic founders are gone, the press is waking up to some long-simmering issues there, and there’s an increasing sense among a certain elite that looking at the app all the time is bad for you. — Casey Newton, The Verge, "22 predictions for social media in 2019," 15 Dec. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'elite.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.