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

Both former Day One picks should have pretty healthy markets, and this beat writer could see the Panthers jumping into those waters to improve a position that isn’t as costly as the top-tier outside linebacker or defensive end markets. —Charlotte Observer, 5 Feb. 2026

The iX offered three different motor options, but our top-tier tester was nothing short of EV excellence. —Marc D. Grasso, Boston Herald, 5 Feb. 2026

Think oceanfront suites, infinity pools, and top-tier dining—all at an unbeatable price, starting at only $71 per night. —Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Feb. 2026

The Super Bowl is designated a top-tier security event, involving multiple federal and local agencies. —Terry Collins, USA Today, 5 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1879, in the meaning defined above