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Definition of echelon

echelon

/ˈɛʃ.ə.lɑːn/
ech · e · lon
Plural:echelons
•
Past Simple:echeloned
•
Past Participle:echeloned
•
Present Participle:echeloning
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echelon Lexical Profile

echelon Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A level, rank, or tier in an organization, profession, or society.

Example

"The policy changes were debated at length by executives in the upper echelons of the corporation."

2

A diagonal, step-like formation of units, aircraft, ships, or migrating birds in which each unit is positioned slightly behind and to the side of the one ahead.

Example

"A flock of geese glided across the autumn sky in a neat echelon to conserve energy."

Synonyms
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• verb

1

To arrange, form, or move in a diagonal, step-like formation.

Example

"The cyclists echeloned across the road to shield one another from the strong crosswind."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
View all antonyms for echelon

• Nearby Words

eccentricity
ecclesiastical
eccremocarpus
echelon
echeveria
echidna
echinacea

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the late 18th century from French échelon, literally meaning "rung of a ladder," a derivative of échelle ("ladder"), from Latin scala.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Echelon. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/echelon
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