echelon
Rung of hierarchy
An echelon is a level or rank within an organization or hierarchy: the upper echelons of management, the highest echelons of government.
The word implies distinct tiers of authority or prestige.
In military usage, an echelon is a formation of troops, ships, or aircraft arranged in parallel lines, each offset from the one ahead—like a staircase viewed from above.
Horizontal structural layer
- levelHorizontal or uniform position
- rankPosition in hierarchy
- stratumHorizontal layer of material
- layerSingle thickness of material
grade · rung · position · standing · structure · pyramid · gradation · stratification
Creation or arrangement
- regimentColonel-led military unit
- battalionMid-sized military unit
- brigadeLarge military unit
- divisionSplitting into parts
corps · squadron · platoon · unit · troops · command · tactical · strategic
Aerodynamic group flight pattern
- wedgeTapered splitting tool
- chevronV-shaped line or symbol
- staggeredShocked or unevenly spaced
- flyingMoving through air
geese · squadron · cycling · peloton · arrowhead · column · convoy · flotilla
Ascending by physical effort
- risingAct of ascending
- ascendingMoving upward
- promotionRank increase or publicity
- progressionSequential forward movement
mobility · reaching · attaining · aspiring · elevation · upward · trajectory · breakthrough
Shoe part above sole
- top-tierOf highest quality
- highestTopmost in position
- powerEnergy transfer rate
- rulingFormal legal determination
privileged · exclusive · leadership · decision-makers · influential · senior · executive · management
tier
Horizontal structural layer
layer · grade · rung · position · standing · structure · pyramid · gradation · stratification · upper
formation
Creation or arrangement
division · corps · squadron · platoon · unit · troops · command · tactical · strategic · deployment
V-formation
Aerodynamic group flight pattern
flying · geese · squadron · cycling · peloton · arrowhead · column · convoy · flotilla · armada
climbing
Ascending by physical effort
progression · mobility · reaching · attaining · aspiring · elevation · upward · trajectory · breakthrough · advancement
upper
Shoe part above sole
ruling · privileged · exclusive · leadership · decision-makers · influential · senior · executive · management · top-brass
- classificationsclassified, hierarchical, class, unclassified, categorical
- cyclingbikes, bicycles, cycling, cyclist, cyclists
- air showsairshow, air show, aerial displays, Thunderbirds, Red Arrows
- hierarchiestier, tiers, level, levels, rank
- hierarchyrank, ranked, authority, command, tiered
- rankingsrankings, first, college rankings, second, third
echelonbottom rung
Lowest position on hierarchy
rank and file · grassroots · underclass · foot soldiers · ground level
echeloncollective
Jointly organized group
commune · non-hierarchical · leaderless · decentralized · democracy
- upper echelonHighest level of hierarchy
- rear echelonNon-combat support zone