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
Scott Wheeler, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
This particular form of reaping occurs midway through the season at a dance where all the eligible girls meet with all manner of young bachelors, only to discover that the oldest and most powerful members of the elite get first choice.
—Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2026
Pj Green
april 3, Kansas City Star, 3 Apr. 2026
While many of Sheridan’s projects feature actors with deep roots in the Western genre, Pfeiffer isn’t the first elite actor to step into frontier storytelling for the first time under his direction.
—Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for elite
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Noun
His snapper and one-timer are borderline elite and can cleanly beat goalies from anywhere in the offensive zone (the puck really rattles off his blade).
—Scott Wheeler, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
This particular form of reaping occurs midway through the season at a dance where all the eligible girls meet with all manner of young bachelors, only to discover that the oldest and most powerful members of the elite get first choice.
—Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
An elite athlete, the Kansas City Chiefs star played several different sports in addition to football; basketball was one of his next loves.
—Pj Green
april 3, Kansas City Star, 3 Apr. 2026
While many of Sheridan’s projects feature actors with deep roots in the Western genre, Pfeiffer isn’t the first elite actor to step into frontier storytelling for the first time under his direction.
—Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for elite
Cite this Entry
“Elite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elite. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
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