echelon
/ˈeɪ-/
Group 29Difficulty 2/3
Definition
- (noun)
- A level or rank in an organization, profession, or society; a formation of troops GRE
Example in Context
The corruption extended to the highest echelons of the government, implicating officials who had publicly championed transparency and accountability.
Synonyms
levelranktier
Etymology
A level out of a ladder — ranks in an organization.
- e- (Latin) — out of
- scala (Latin) — ladder
Memory Aid
🏞️Sounds like “echo lawn”
An ECHO on the lawn announces 'You’re at a higher ECHELON!' when you step on the grass!
Visual Association
🏅A series of ladders leading up to a trophy, each rung representing a higher rank.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “echelon” mean on the GRE?
echelon (noun) means “A level or rank in an organization, profession, or society; a formation of troops”. The corruption extended to the highest echelons of the government, implicating officials who had publicly championed transparency and accountability.
How to remember “echelon” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “echelon” sounds like “echo lawn”. An ECHO on the lawn announces 'You’re at a higher ECHELON!' when you step on the grass!
What are synonyms for “echelon”?
Common synonyms: level, rank, tier.