Echelon Definition

ĕshə-lŏn
echelons
noun
A steplike formation of ships or troops, in which each unit or row is slightly to the left or right of the one preceding it.
Webster's New World
A similar formation of aircraft with each unit at a higher or lower level.
Webster's New World
A flight formation or arrangement of craft in this manner.
American Heritage
Any of the units in such a formation.
Webster's New World
A subdivision of a military force, according to position [rear echelon] or to function [command echelon]
Webster's New World
verb
To arrange or take place in an echelon.
American Heritage
To assemble, or assume position, in echelon.
Webster's New World

Other Word Forms of Echelon

Noun

Singular:
echelon
Plural:
echelons

Origin of Echelon

  • French échelon from Old French eschelon rung of a ladder from eschiele ladder from Late Latin scāla back-formation from Latin scālae steps, ladder skand- in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • French échelon, from échelle (“ladder”).

    From Wiktionary

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echelon