An echelon in an organization or society is a level or rank in it.
[formal]
...the lower echelons of society. [+ of]
Synonyms: level, place, office, position More Synonyms of echelon
2. countable noun [usually supplement NOUN]
An echelon is a military formation in which soldiers, vehicles, ships, or aircraft follow each other but are spaced out sideways so that they can see ahead.
echelon in British English
(ˈɛʃəˌlɒn)
noun
1.
a level of command, responsibility, etc (esp in the phrase the upper echelons)
2. military
a.
a formation in which units follow one another but are offset sufficiently to allow each unit a line of fire ahead
b.
a group formed in this way
3. physics
a type of diffraction grating used in spectroscopy consisting of a series of plates of equal thickness arranged stepwise with a constant offset
verb
4.
to assemble in echelon
Word origin
C18: from French échelon, literally: rung of a ladder, from Old French eschiele ladder, from Latin scāla; see scale3
echelon in American English
(ˈɛʃəˌlɑn)
noun
1.
a.
a steplike formation of ships or troops, in which each unit is slightly to the left or right of the one preceding it
b.
a similar formation of aircraft with each step at a higher or lower level
2.
any of the units in such a formation
3.
a subdivision of a military force, according to position [rear echelon] or to function [command echelon]
4.
a.
any of the levels of responsibility or importance in an organization
b.
the persons at one of these levels
verb transitive, verb intransitive
5.
to assemble, or assume position, in echelon
Word origin
Fr échelon, ladder rung < échelle < OFr eschelle < L scala, ladder: see scale1
Examples of 'echelon' in a sentence
echelon
Those who regularly attend games here talk of their alienation from the upper echelons, the money and the bling.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Despite dedication to widening access and recruitment, the civil service is largely staffed by the stereotypical CVs in its upper echelons.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
I predict this year will see a shake-up in the upper echelons of the men's game.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
We battle the upper echelons of super villains.
The Sun (2014)
Over the past three years he has uncovered corruption and malpractice in the highest echelons of power.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Still others advanced into the top echelons of business and industry.
Christianity Today (2000)
There were people there from the higher echelons of society.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Its tentacles stretch far into the upper echelons of government.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Only a very small number in the higher echelons can be branded fat cats.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
And in the middle and lower echelons they are still paid less and employed less willingly.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
No wonder that mental illness is the spectre stalking the highest echelons of music.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
He spoke of a grating lack of respect in the higher echelons.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The book can be used largely to determine what land was held by the upper echelons of society.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
The target set for juniors to reach the highest echelons of the game is not close to being met.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The number of women making it into the upper echelons of business management has increased tremendously in recent years.
Harris, Jean Everything You Need to Know for Success in Business (1990)
Wellington's successes as a general propelled him into the top echelons of politics and diplomacy.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
You will not reach the top echelons of European football by not investing.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
She mixed in the upper echelons of Kent society.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
But despite progress in the lower ranks, the top echelons of the judiciary remain almost untouched.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
It's a male preoccupation that reaches to the highest echelons of society.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The claim has sent shockwaves through the force's upper echelons.
The Sun (2016)
Having that sort of cash means they can now mix with the upper echelons of Scottish society.
The Sun (2011)
Because ethnic minorities and women are still relatively rare in the higher echelons of power, looking the part is trickier for them.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
There are complaints of not enough prize money in the lower echelons and too much low-grade racing in an economic environment of dwindling owner investment.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
He is a character hewn from the lower echelons of the Football League.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
In other languages
echelon
British English: echelon NOUN
An echelon in an organization or society is a level or rank in it.
...the lower echelons of society.
American English: echelon
Brazilian Portuguese: camada
Chinese: 等级
European Spanish: esfera
French: échelon
German: Rang
Italian: gradino
Japanese: 階層
Korean: 계층
European Portuguese: camada
Latin American Spanish: esfera
(noun)
Definition
a level of power or responsibility
the lower echelons of society
Synonyms
level
in order according to their level of difficulty
place
All the candidates won places on the ruling council.
office
position
He took up a position with the Arts Council.
step
This is the final step in the career ladder.
degree (archaic)
the fall of a man of high degree and noble character
rank
He eventually rose to the rank of captain.
grade
Staff turnover is high among junior grades.
tier
an auditorium with tiers of seats around and above it
rung
Additional synonyms
in the sense of degree
the fall of a man of high degree and noble character
Synonyms
rank,
order,
standing,
level,
class,
position,
station,
status,
grade,
caste,
nobility,
echelon
in the sense of grade
Definition
a rank or level of importance in a company or organization
Staff turnover is high among junior grades.
Synonyms
level,
position,
rank,
group,
order,
class,
stage,
step,
station,
category,
rung,
echelon
in the sense of place
All the candidates won places on the ruling council.