: 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 Other top-tier names going on sale include Augustinus Bader, Supergoop!, and NuFace. Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 21 Nov. 2023 The crisp service, the walkable location, and the top-tier amenities give it an edge. Jacqui Gifford, Travel + Leisure, 16 Nov. 2023 The 2023 season has not played out to his expectations though, despite his continued advancement as a racer in the top-tier of motorsport. Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 16 Nov. 2023 In the months leading up to the FBI raid of his home, Meek had met with several top-tier production companies, including Brad Pitt’s Plan B and producers like Dana Brunetti about adapting the book. Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 13 Nov. 2023 One glance at the On My Mama music video will illuminate her keen musicality, made evident through cultural references, top-tier choreography, and homage to the artists who’ve paved the way for her, including Chalie Boy, the artist sampled on the track. Kenneth J. Williams Jr., Forbes, 13 Nov. 2023 The company is known for crafting some of the city’s top-tier cocktail bars and restaurants, and most recently unveiled a massive seven-outlet F&B project at the Lafayette Hotel. Krista Simmons, Sunset Magazine, 13 Nov. 2023 The Washington Post received a review unit, the top-tier model that boasts a terabyte of storage and comes with a slimmer, hard-shell carrying case. Gene Park, Washington Post, 9 Nov. 2023 Nearly 1,000 wine professionals from 127 countries voted this year; the voting group consisted of winemakers, Masters of Wine, Master Sommeliers, wine buyers, wine journalists, and top-tier sommeliers. Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 7 Nov. 2023 See More

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

Word History

First Known Use

1879, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of top-tier was in 1879

Dictionary Entries Near top-tier

Cite this Entry

“Top-tier.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/top-tier. Accessed 30 Nov. 2023.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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