top-tier

adjective

ˈtäp-ˈtir 

: of the highest level or rank with regard to quality, reputation, or importance

Top-tier wines are the result of artisanal production techniques that demand rigorous attention to detail and, on occasion, financial sacrifice.

—Daniel Sogg

In general, the top-tier schools measure their success by the salaries that their graduates earn …

—Peter Baida

… leave fellow Republicans open to attack on what's shaping up as a top-tier issue in the 2008 elections.

—Mark Hertsgaard

Yes, this Kansas team is loaded with top-tier talent …

—Joe Posnanski

Kemp's first objective, his handlers said, was to establish himself as a top-tier contender.

—Lucy Howard>

Examples of top-tier in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Mizzou struggled against top-tier competition overall, posting a 2-6 record against top-25 opponents. —Brady Shanahan, Kansas City Star, 9 Sep. 2025

The camps were more or less divided between people who think McCarthy crossed a line with staff in several instances, and others who see him as a top-tier editor with a passion for journalistic results and less patience for staff who fall short. —Max Tani, semafor.com, 8 Sep. 2025

Winning companies need top-tier talent across each of these disciplines early, but pedigree isn’t enough. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2025

Truly a top-tier insult — but depressing. —Alex Edelman, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1879, in the meaning defined above