elder

1 of 3

noun (1)

el·​der ˈel-dər 

: elderberry sense 2

elder

2 of 3

adjective

1

: of earlier birth or greater age

his elder brother

2

: of or relating to earlier times : former

3

archaic : of or relating to a more advanced time of life

4

: prior or superior in rank, office, or validity

elder

3 of 3

noun (2)

1

: one living in an earlier period

2

a

: one who is older : senior

a child trying to please her elders

b

: an aged person

3

: one having authority by virtue of age and experience

the village elders

4

: any of various officers of religious groups: such as

a

: presbyter sense 1

b

: a permanent officer elected by a Presbyterian congregation and ordained to serve on the session and assist the pastor at communion

c

: minister sense 2

d

: a leader of the Shakers

e

: a Mormon ordained to the Melchizedek priesthood

eldership

ˈel-dər-ˌship 

noun

Synonyms

Noun (2)

• ancient
• geriatric
• golden-ager
• old-timer
• oldster
• senior
• senior citizen

Examples of elder in a Sentence

Noun (2)

in that Asian society elders are accorded great respect

as your elder in the company, he is within his rights to tell you what to do

it wouldn't hurt to show a little more respect for your elders

as the elder of the contingent of living former presidents, he was accorded a place of highest honor at the ceremonies

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Reba Teran was one of the Eastern Shoshone elders who came along. —Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Dec. 2024

Prior generations of elders might have died instead of living longer through medical treatments, but advances in medical technology are extending the portion of our lives spent in frailty. —Steve Vernon, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024

Adjective

Though just barely 20 years old, Stranahan’s is one of American single malt’s elder statesmen and a pioneer of the movement. —Erik Ofgang, Forbes, 8 Dec. 2024

Developer Raul Masvidal, a Miami elder statesman with the kind of name recognition built from years of banking, philanthropy and associations with governors and senators to fuel a candidacy for Miami mayor, has died. —Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 25 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English eldre, from Old English ellærn; perhaps akin to Old English alor alder — more at alder

Adjective

Middle English, from Old English ieldra, comparative of eald old

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing elder

• box elder
• elder care
• elder statesman
• marsh elder
• the elder

Kids Definition

elder

1 of 3 noun

el·​der ˈel-dər 

: elderberry sense 2

elder

2 of 3 adjective

: of greater age

the elder cousin

elder

3 of 3 noun

1

: one who is older : senior

2

: a person having authority because of age and experience

the village elders

3

: any of various church officers

eldership

-ˌship 

noun

Etymology

Noun

Old English ellærn "elder tree"

Adjective

Old English ieldra, comparative form of eald "old"

Medical Definition

elder

noun

el·​der ˈel-dər 

: elderberry sense 2