1
: chosen from a number or group by fitness or preference
2
3
: judicious or restrictive in choice : discriminating
pleased with the select appreciation of his books—
Osbert Sitwell
Osbert Sitwell
selected; selecting; selects
: to choose (as by fitness or excellence) from a number or group : pick out
: to make a choice
: one that is select
—often used in plural
Synonyms
Examples of select in a Sentence
Adjective
Only a few select employees attended the meeting.
A select committee was formed to plan the project.
The group was small and select.
A select number of people are invited.
Only a select few will be accepted into the program.
He only drinks select wines.
Verb
Please select one item from the list.
The school will only select 12 applicants for enrollment.
Knowing the importance of making the right choice, he selected carefully.
Select “Insert” from the “Edit” menu.
Recent Examples on the Web
Thom Harris, The Athletic, 6 Feb. 2025
Anthropic’s computer use capability allows its technology to interpret what’s on a computer screen, select buttons, enter text, navigate websites and execute tasks through any software and real-time internet browsing, the startup said.
—Hayden Field,jennifer Elias, CNBC, 5 Feb. 2025
Contributed Content, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
February 7, 2025 Products are independently selected by our editors.
—Marie Courtois, Vogue, 7 Feb. 2025
Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 15 Oct. 2024
Not to mention the high quality selects below will run you less than $100.
—Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 9 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for select 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Adjective
There aren’t many people in a position to give advice on how to lead the line to Erling Haaland, but Thierry Henry can surely be included in that select group.
—Thom Harris, The Athletic, 6 Feb. 2025
Anthropic’s computer use capability allows its technology to interpret what’s on a computer screen, select buttons, enter text, navigate websites and execute tasks through any software and real-time internet browsing, the startup said.
—Hayden Field,jennifer Elias, CNBC, 5 Feb. 2025
Verb
Litchfield High School teachers selected two freshmen as Students of the Week for March 11-15.
—Contributed Content, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
February 7, 2025 Products are independently selected by our editors.
—Marie Courtois, Vogue, 7 Feb. 2025
Noun
Opening selects shows are Ryan Davis & the Roadhouse Band, Hollow Hand, Wild Pink, This Is Lorelei, Nap Eyes, and Trace Mountains.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 15 Oct. 2024
Not to mention the high quality selects below will run you less than $100.
—Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 9 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for select
Dictionary Entries Near select
Cite this Entry
“Select.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/select. Accessed 10 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Medical Definition
select
intransitive verb
se·lect
sə-ˈlekt 
: to cause a specified gene, trait, or organism to become more frequent or less frequent
—usually used with for or against
animal breeders need to select simultaneously for improved conformity to breed characteristics and against defective genes causing disease
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