PoliticsAugust 24, 2026

echelon

ESH-uh-lon

Definition

The highest level or rank within an organization, governing body, or social structure.

Etymology

Derived from the French word 'échelon,' meaning 'rung of a ladder.' It entered English in the early 18th century as a military term for a staggered, step-like troop formation before being applied to organizational hierarchies.

In the news

The article refers to the 'top echelon' of the CHP, signifying the party's leadership core that was removed by court order. This removal highlights the political stakes of the legal actions against the opposition party.

Turkey sentences 5 opposition mayors in cases critics slam as politically motivated

Read the full article ↗

WRAL

Related words

abortifacients

Substances or drugs that are used to induce or cause an abortion.

Politics

cahoots

Secret collaboration or partnership, especially for a dishonest, illegal, or unethical…

Politics

conscription

The compulsory enlistment of people into a state service, such as a specialized civil…

Politics

conspiratorial

Relating to or suggestive of a secret plan by a group to do something unlawful or…

Politics

deposed

Removed from a position of authority or power, often forcibly or suddenly.

Politics

dragnet

A systematic, wide-ranging search or set of measures designed to catch or control a…

Politics

Learn a word like this every day

Meet one new word every morning.

Newspoken pulls one carefully chosen word from the day’s news — with a clear definition, context, and light review that makes it stick. Get it on your phone.