: being of the highest caliber in the world
a world-class athlete

Examples of world-class in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This is the moment to invest in something world-class. Thomas Drance, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2026 Or that their brisk pace would only have been possible for world-class athletes. Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2026 After Suno spit out the concept, a collection of world-class musicians including string players and a drummer recorded the musical bits to fill in the blanks and add a more personalized human touch. Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 14 Apr. 2026 The Basel area, in particular, has top-notch healthcare—thanks in part to its world-class clinic the University Hospital of Basel—excellent education, and a low crime rate. Amelia Mularz, Architectural Digest, 14 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for world-class

Word History

First Known Use

1939, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of world-class was in 1939

Cite this Entry

“World-class.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/world-class. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

world-class

adjective
: being of the highest degree of excellence in the world
a world-class athlete
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