1. a level or rank in an organization, profession, or society
2. a formation of troops, ships, or aircraft in parallel rows with each row positioned slightly behind and to one side of the row ahead
Usage: military

Examples

• She reached the upper echelons of corporate management.
• The company’s top echelon made the final decision.
• He worked his way up from the lower echelons of the organization.
• The fighter jets flew in echelon formation.
• The military unit advanced in a tight echelon.
• Only the highest echelon of government knew about the classified project.
• The ships sailed in echelon across the harbor.