1. arranged in a formation where units are positioned at different levels or in a staggered pattern
Usage: military; formal

Examples

• The troops were echeloned across the hillside for maximum defensive coverage.
• The aircraft flew in an echeloned formation during the air show.
• The company’s management structure was echeloned with clear levels of authority.
• The defensive positions were echeloned to provide overlapping fields of fire.
• The buildings were echeloned up the mountainside to follow the natural terrain.