echelon

Echelon is defined as the level that someone or something has attained.

(noun)

An example of echelon is the President and his cabinet, the upper echelons of the political environment.

See echelon in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

1. a steplike formation of ships or troops, in which each unit is slightly to the left or right of the one preceding it
2. a similar formation of aircraft with each step at a higher or lower level
any of the units in such a formation
a subdivision of a military force, according to position [rear echelon] or to function [command echelon]
1. any of the levels of responsibility or importance in an organization
2. the persons at one of these levels

Origin: Fr échelon, ladder rung < échelle < OFr eschelle < L scala, ladder: see scale

transitive verb, intransitive verb

to assemble, or assume position, in echelon

See echelon in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

a. A formation of troops in which each unit is positioned successively to the left or right of the rear unit to form an oblique or steplike line.
b. A flight formation or arrangement of craft in this manner.
c. A similar formation of groups, units, or individuals.
A subdivision of a military or naval force: a command echelon.
A level of responsibility or authority in a hierarchy; a rank: a job in the company's lower echelon.