echelon

1 of 2

noun

ech·​e·​lon ˈe-shə-ˌlän 

1

a(1)

: an arrangement of a body of troops with its units each somewhat to the left or right of the one in the rear like a series of steps

(2)

: a formation of units or individuals resembling such an echelon

geese flying in echelon

(3)

: a flight formation in which each airplane flies at a certain elevation above or below and at a certain distance behind and to the right or left of the airplane ahead

b

: any of several military units in echelon formation

also : any unit or group acting in a disciplined or organized manner

served in a combat echelon

2

a

: one of a series of levels or grades in an organization or field of activity

involved employees at every echelon

b

: a group of individuals at a particular level or grade in an organization or field of activity

the upper echelons of management

echelon

2 of 2

verb

echeloned; echeloning; echelons

transitive verb

: to form or arrange in an echelon

intransitive verb

: to take position in an echelon

Did you know?

Echelon comes from scala, a Latin word meaning "ladder" that is also the source of French eschelon, meaning "rung of a ladder." Over time, the French word came to mean "step," "grade," or "level." English borrowed the word and upped its meaning to "a level or category within an organization or group of people."

Synonyms

Noun

• degree
• footing
• level
• place
• position
• rank
• ranking
• reach(es)
• rung
• situation
• standing
• station
• status
• stratum

Examples of echelon in a Sentence

Noun

the lower echelons of the bureaucracy

We heard stories of corruption in the upper echelons of the firm.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Soon, Özer was ingratiated into the upper echelons of Turkish society. —Leif Wenar, WIRED, 2 Apr. 2024

While not represented in the highest echelons, Singapore has the most restaurants in the ranking, with a whopping nine eateries on the 50 Best list, led by Odette at No. 10. —Tori Latham, Robb Report, 26 Mar. 2024

The case, brought by New York’s attorney general, Letitia James, touched the uppermost echelons of the gun-rights group. —Kate Christobek, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2024

An overwhelming majority of its justices come from an entrenched elite—male, Hindu, and occupying the upper echelons of India’s caste system—a demographic that has traditionally been the bedrock of Hindu nationalism. —Vaibhav Vats, The Atlantic, 3 Feb. 2024

There are working Southern actors to lend credibility to films set in the South, although few have made it to the upper echelons of fame with speech patterns intact. —New York Times, 26 Mar. 2024

The allegation of misconduct has quickly gone up to the highest echelons of government, with UK Health Minister Maria Caulfield on Wednesday describing the seriousness of the alleged incident. —Lauren Said-Moorhouse, CNN, 22 Mar. 2024

Often made from soft linen, tea towels were a favorite accessory amongst the upper echelons of English society. —Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 26 Feb. 2024

Just how many remains to be seen, but the good news is most games among the upper echelon are chances to boost credentials. —USA TODAY, 16 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French échelon, literally, rung of a ladder, from Old French eschelon, from eschele ladder, from Late Latin scala

First Known Use

Noun

1796, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Verb

circa 1860, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Phrases Containing echelon

• rear echelon

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Kids Definition

echelon

noun

ech·​e·​lon

ˈesh-ə-ˌlän

1

: a formation of units (as troops or airplanes) resembling a series of steps

also : a unit in such a formation

2

: one of a series of levels especially of authority

involved officials at every echelon

also : the people who are at such a level

the upper echelons of the government