Definitions for echelon

• Definition
• Anagrams (124)

echelon ech·e·lon

Spelling: [esh-uh-lon]

IPA: /ˈɛʃ əˌlɒn/

Echelon is a 7 letter English word. It's valid Scrabble word worth 12 points. It's valid Words with friends word worth 14 points.

You can make 124 anagrams from letters in echelon (ceehlno).

Definitions for echelon

noun

1. a level of command, authority, or rank: Synonyms: place, rank, hierarchy, authority, grade, office; row, tier, rung; social standing, position, class, standing.
2. a level of worthiness, achievement, or reputation: Synonyms: degree, position, tier.
3. Military. a formation of troops, ships, airplanes, etc., in which groups of soldiers or individual vehicles or craft are arranged in parallel lines, either with each line extending to the right of the one in front (right echelon) or with each line extending to the left of the one in front (left echelon) so that the whole presents the appearance of steps.
4. Military. one of the groups of a formation so arranged.
5. Archaic. any structure or group of structures arranged in a steplike form.
6. Also called echelon grating. Spectroscopy. a diffraction grating that is used in the resolution of fine structure lines and consists of a series of plates of equal thickness stacked in staircase fashion.

verb (used with or without object)

1. to form in an echelon.

Origin of echelon

1790-1800; French échelon, orig. rung of a ladder, Old French eschelon, equivalent to esch(i)ele ladder (Latin scāla; see scale³) + -on noun suffix

Examples for echelon

I think Tina is the first woman who has gotten into that echelon.

Their left was arranged en potence, their right was drawn up in echelon.

It is what is known as an "echelon" formation when applied to the manœuvres of soldiers.

The formation was in echelon by the right, with unequal intervals.

I tried the echelon, the 'general advanced,' then the 'give away' and 'flank' movements.

The echelon below were 18-year-old Olders, overseeing Babies and Tinies as young as 10 in the final rung.

All egress is stopped by the Allies' echelon formation, except by Aleppo.

Across the broad plain the whole of the brigade was in echelon.

The view may look bright at the top GOP echelon, but that does not appear to be the attitude of the rank and file.

The advance was made by the two brigades in squares marching in echelon.