noun
echelon
EHSH-uh-lon
Echelon (noun) means a level or rank within an organisation, especially one of importance or seniority. Example: “She quickly rose to the upper echelons of the company.”
noun
1
A level or rank within an organisation, especially one of importance or seniority.
"She quickly rose to the upper echelons of the company."
"Only the top echelon of officers knew about the mission."
2
A formation of troops, ships, or aircraft arranged in parallel diagonal rows.
"The jets flew in a tight echelon formation over the stadium."
How to use echelon
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA rank or level, especially in the sense of "how high up" someone or something is.
Common pairings
upper echelons
top echelon
echelon formation
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Word forms
- Plural
- echelons
- Third person singular
- echelons
- Past tense
- echeloned
Fill the gap
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She quickly rose to the upper _____ of the company.
Etymology
Borrowed from French échelon, "rung of a ladder," from échelle ("ladder"), ultimately from Latin scāla — the image is of ranks stepping up like rungs.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for echelon
See all rhymes for echelon →Frequently asked questions
What does “echelon” mean?
The word “echelon” means a level or rank within an organisation, especially one of importance or seniority. In plain terms, a rank or level, especially in the sense of "how high up" someone or something is.
How do you pronounce “echelon”?
“Echelon” is pronounced EHSH-uh-lon (/ˈɛʃ.əˌlɑn/ in IPA).
How do you use “echelon” in a sentence?
Here is “echelon” used in a sentence: “She quickly rose to the upper echelons of the company.”
What part of speech is “echelon”?
“Echelon” is a noun.
Where does the word “echelon” come from?
The word “echelon” comes from Latin. Borrowed from French échelon, "rung of a ladder," from échelle ("ladder"), ultimately from Latin scāla — the image is of ranks stepping up like rungs.
How many meanings does “echelon” have?
“Echelon” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a level or rank within an organisation, especially one of importance or seniority.
