1
a
singular or plural in construction
: the choice part : cream
the elite of the entertainment world
b
singular or plural in construction
: the best of a class
… superachievers who dominate the computer elite …—
Marilyn Chase
Marilyn Chase
c
singular or plural in construction
: the socially superior part of society
… how the French-speaking elite … was changing …—Economist
Economist
d
: a group of persons who by virtue of position or education exercise much power or influence
members of the ruling elite
e
: a member of such an elite
—usually used in plural
The elites …, pursuing their studies in Europe …—Robert Wernick
Robert Wernick2
: a typewriter type providing 12 characters to the linear inch
: of, relating to, serving, or being part of an elite
seeking to attain elite status
an elite group
an elite institution/school
often
: superior in quality, rank, skill, etc.
an elite performer
an elite athlete
an athlete with elite skills
The elite chess players of today are of no school. They hail from all over the world … —Garry Kasparov
Garry Kasparov Examples of elite in a Sentence
Noun
the winners of this science award represent the elite of our high schools
the country's elite owned or controlled most of the wealth
Recent Examples on the Web
Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
For all their sophistication—transforming a poisonous root and its leaves into a whole range of delicacies is no mean feat—for years such dishes were seen by the city’s elite as the food of poverty.
—Michael Snyder, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2025
Literary Hub, 7 Nov. 2025
Xi has also built up the PLA Rocket Force (PLARF), an elite branch overseeing China’s fast-expanding arsenal of nuclear and ballistic missiles.
—Tamara Qiblawi, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elite
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Noun
This has given the conflict a religious coloration, and political elites have also chosen to politicize the conflict to negotiate power and other interests, which has complicated the problem.
—Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
For all their sophistication—transforming a poisonous root and its leaves into a whole range of delicacies is no mean feat—for years such dishes were seen by the city’s elite as the food of poverty.
—Michael Snyder, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
In contexts not concerning the elite private colleges of New England and their decades-old conflicts and syllabi and on-campus squabbles, this mode of prestige media procedure matters absolutely and enormously, at scales difficult to tabulate.
—Literary Hub, 7 Nov. 2025
Xi has also built up the PLA Rocket Force (PLARF), an elite branch overseeing China’s fast-expanding arsenal of nuclear and ballistic missiles.
—Tamara Qiblawi, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elite
Cite this Entry
“Elite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elite. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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