select

1 of 3

adjective

se·​lect sə-ˈlekt How to pronounce select (audio)
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 booksOsbert Sitwell
selectable adjective
selectness noun
selector 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

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
Join Fox News for access to this content Plus special access to select articles and other premium content with your account - free of charge. Greg Norman, Fox News, 14 Mar. 2024 In recent comments to reporters, Wisconsin Republican Rep. Mike Gallagher, who chairs a House select committee on China, rejected characterizations of the bill as a TikTok ban. Nectar Gan, CNN, 13 Mar. 2024 Borden said McDonald’s has plans to launch a new pilot program in select markets that will include additional beef items. Francisco Velasquez, Quartz, 13 Mar. 2024 Gallagher, the leader of the House select committee on the Chinese Communist Party, has argued the Chinese government could use the platform to collect user data and promote propaganda. Lawrence Andrea, Journal Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2024 The House plans to vote on the bill tomorrow, just a week after it was introduced by members of the select committee on the Chinese Communist Party—the committee approved the bill 50-0 on Thursday. David Meyer, Fortune, 12 Mar. 2024 Just in time for spring, Rad Power Bikes has launched a new sales event, which takes $200 off select e-bikes through March 13th. Brandon Widder, The Verge, 12 Mar. 2024 In select theaters 7 p.m. 60 Minutes - CBS America's Funniest Home Videos - ABC Sin City Murders - Oxygen 8 p.m. The Equalizer - CBS Naked & Afraid - Discovery Tournament of Champions - Food Network Home Town - HGTV The Real Housewives of Potomac - Bravo 90 Day Fiancé: Happily Ever After? Gerrad Hall, EW.com, 11 Mar. 2024 Well World tour in select markets before the general market. Daniela Avila, Peoplemag, 29 Feb. 2024
Verb
Once the input has been processed, the model must now apply what it’s learned to help select its next word. Cal Newport, The New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2024 The deep-space rocket system, selected to ferry NASA astronauts to the moon in 2026, went through nearly an hour-long test flight before likely breaking apart. Alexandra Banner, CNN, 15 Mar. 2024 The 50 people who were ultimately selected will meet a total of six times between now and June. Sophie Alexander, Fortune Europe, 15 Mar. 2024 The cities on the list were selected by an expert panel and voted on by readers. Jordyn Noennig, Journal Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2024 Typically, a designer will create a 2D tech pack with the cut shapes, and then select the fabric for look, feel, and performance based on swatches. Alden Wicker, WIRED, 14 Mar. 2024 Consider your child's needs when selecting between the different types of lenses, including polycarbonate, mirrored, and prescription. Ambrosia V. Brody, Parents, 14 Mar. 2024 Then, select Wireless Audio Sync and follow the onscreen prompts. Abby Ferguson, Popular Science, 13 Mar. 2024 Clients can also choose made-to-order and select everything from brim width to ribbon style. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 3 Mar. 2024
Noun
These statement-making selects either have a striking metallic hue or sparkly finish to add a little flair to pretty much any outfit. Lauren Dana Ellman, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Feb. 2024 The team member loaded our selects into an iPad before leaving the room. Kiana Murden, Vogue, 28 Feb. 2024 Albeit a game for the economic select who can shell out for $1,800 Lay’s potato-chip clutches, $4,800 padded bathrobes, $1,780 trash-bag purses made of calfskin, or 95-cent Ikea bags transformed into $2,000 totes. Nathan Taylor Pemberton, Rolling Stone, 20 Jan. 2024 Elsewhere, in the collection, there were selects that were comprised of excellent corsets with intricate ribbon additions. Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 9 Sep. 2023 Chicken Selects In 2004, McDonald’s released their chicken selects. Sam Burros, Peoplemag, 30 July 2023 The range also features office-ready suiting selects—there’s also an exquisite gown with knit detailing. Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 12 Sep. 2023 Some of our top selects include the sleeveless turtleneck, the signature tee, and the pure wide leg denim. Amy Louise Bailey, Travel + Leisure, 21 Aug. 2023 From compact tools perfect for travel and small spaces to options with tons of selects in their sound library, read on for our top picks of what's sure to be your newest bedroom must-have. Tiffany Dodson, Harper's BAZAAR, 17 Aug. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'select.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

circa 1555, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1566, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Noun

1610, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of select was circa 1555

Dictionary Entries Near select

Cite this Entry

“Select.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/select. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

select

1 of 2 verb
se·​lect sə-ˈlekt How to pronounce select (audio)
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 How to pronounce select (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on select

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!