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

Mike Jones of The Athletic explains why the lack of top-tier quarterback prospects beyond Fernando Mendoza limits the intrigue typically expected of NFL drafts. —Andrew Greif, NBC news, 24 Apr. 2026

Thumping, high sound quality was a top priority As someone who toured the world playing bass for Third Eye Blind, top-tier sound was a nonnegotiable for Leo. —Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026

The Yankees are definitely a top-tier team. —Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 23 Apr. 2026

Best Sonos soundbar The Arc is Sonos’ top-tier soundbar. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1879, in the meaning defined above