select

1 of 3

adjective

se·​lect sə-ˈlekt 

1

: chosen from a number or group by fitness or preference

2

a

: of special value or excellence : superior, choice

b

: exclusively or fastidiously chosen often with regard to social, economic, or cultural characteristics

3

: judicious or restrictive in choice : discriminating

… pleased with the select appreciation of his books …

—Osbert Sitwell

selectable

sə-ˈlek-tə-bəl 

adjective

selectness

sə-ˈlek(t)-nəs 

noun

selector

sə-ˈlek-tər 

noun

select

2 of 3

verb

selected; selecting; selects

transitive verb

: to choose (as by fitness or excellence) from a number or group : pick out

intransitive verb

: to make a choice

select

3 of 3

noun

: one that is select

—often used in plural

Synonyms of select

Adjective

• selected
• preferred
• favorite

Verb

• choose
• pick

Examples of select in a Sentence

Adjective

Only a few select employees attended the meeting.

A select committee was formed to plan the project.

The group was small and select.

A select number of people are invited.

Only a select few will be accepted into the program.

He only drinks select wines.

Verb

Please select one item from the list.

The school will only select 12 applicants for enrollment.

Knowing the importance of making the right choice, he selected carefully.

Select “Insert” from the “Edit” menu.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The company has issued an update on its plans, affirming that the verification system will begin rolling out in select countries later this year. —Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 18 June 2026

The duo’s Playful Pink colorway is expected to be an Awake exclusive, while the Midnight Navy style will see a wider release from select retailers. —Riley Jones, Footwear News, 18 June 2026

Verb

When camping in an open environment, select a campsite in a valley, ravine, or low region. —Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 19 June 2026

However, a three-judge panel selected for a legal assessment of the findings found that the investigation was not conclusive enough. —ABC News, 19 June 2026

Noun

This year, the top comedies mostly stuck to submitting one episode per category, while the top dramas went all out with multiple selects. —Joe Reid, Vulture, 20 June 2026

Kerr has said that whoever the team selects will be given an opportunity to play through mistakes, but picking a player such as Cenac would signal that the Warriors do not expect their lottery pick to be an impact player on Day 1. —Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 15 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin selectus, past participle of seligere to select, from se- apart (from sed, se without) + legere to gather, select — more at suicide, legend

First Known Use

Adjective

1565, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1566, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Noun

1610, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing select

• self-select

Rhymes for select

• affect
• aspect
• bedecked
• bisect
• collect
• connect
• correct
• deflect
• detect
• direct
• dissect
• effect

Kids Definition

select

1 of 2 verb

se·​lect sə-ˈlekt 

1

: to pick out from a number or group : choose

2

: to choose (a particular action or a section of text on a computer screen) especially using a mouse

select

2 of 2 adjective

1

: chosen from a number or group to include the best or most suitable individuals

invited only a few select employees

2

: of special value or excellence : superior, choice

a select hotel

Medical Definition

select

intransitive verb

se·​lect sə-ˈlekt 

: to cause a specified gene, trait, or organism to become more frequent or less frequent

—usually used with for or against

animal breeders need to select simultaneously for improved conformity to breed characteristics and against defective genes causing disease