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 Mulherin, Boston Herald, 20 May 2026
Suleyman points to the example of the Gutenberg Printing Press as one such innovation that elites sought to check as a threat to their hegemony.
—Michael Ashley, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 19 May 2026
And a Pomeranian must endure an interview before being taken on by an elite dog walker.
—Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 19 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for elite
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Noun
Milton was one or two plays away from some elite wins early on in the year, and have finally pieced them together as winners in seven of its last eight to crack the top 10.
—Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 20 May 2026
Suleyman points to the example of the Gutenberg Printing Press as one such innovation that elites sought to check as a threat to their hegemony.
—Michael Ashley, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
Adjective
The bigger issue is that the NAACP is asking elite athletes to make college decisions based on state-level politics, not coaching staffs, playing time, development, NIL opportunity, facilities, education, relationships or NFL preparation.
—Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 19 May 2026
And a Pomeranian must endure an interview before being taken on by an elite dog walker.
—Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 19 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for elite
Cite this Entry
“Elite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elite. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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