high-level

adjective

high-lev·​el ˈhī-ˈle-vəl 

1

: occurring, done, or placed at a high level

2

: being of high importance or rank

high-level diplomats

3

: of, relating to, or being a computer programming language (such as BASIC or Pascal) which is similar to a natural language (such as English) and in which each statement is translated by a compiler usually into several machine language instructions

4

: relating to or being nuclear waste that contains highly concentrated radioactive components which are environmentally hazardous

Examples of high-level in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

There is a sense of hope that grows whenever another high-level official is killed. —Jason Rezaian, New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2026

Two high-level Biden administration officials who played key roles in evaluating a Microsoft security product that was breached by Chinese hackers now enjoy senior positions at the technology corporation, according to public social media profiles. —Robert Schmad, The Washington Examiner, 23 Mar. 2026

The high-level teams compete at tournaments locally, some even traveling across the country. —Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 23 Mar. 2026

But the high-level China Development Forum didn’t reflect all views. —Eunice Yoon,evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 23 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1842, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for high-level

• daredevil
• sublevel
• bevel
• devil
• level
• mediaeval
• multilevel

Kids Definition

high-level

adjective

high-lev·​el

ˈhī-ˈlev-əl

1

: being of high importance or rank

high-level officials

2

: relating to or being a computer programming language that is similar to a natural language (as English)

3

: relating to or being very radioactive nuclear waste