: of the highest level or rank with regard to quality, reputation, or importance
Top-tier wines are the result of artisanal production techniques that demand rigorous attention to detail and, on occasion, financial sacrifice.Daniel Sogg
In general, the top-tier schools measure their success by the salaries that their graduates earn …Peter Baida
… leave fellow Republicans open to attack on what's shaping up as a top-tier issue in the 2008 elections.Mark Hertsgaard
Yes, this Kansas team is loaded with top-tier talent …Joe Posnanski
Kemp's first objective, his handlers said, was to establish himself as a top-tier contender.Lucy Howard

Examples of top-tier in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Joan Rubinger overcame a catastrophic biking accident that left her paralyzed to become an influential pain-relief specialist helping top-tier athletes get back on the field after acute and chronic injuries. Joshua Goodman, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026 The goal is to create a top-tier educational institution with free tuition and, in return, graduating students to fulfill a service commitment of several years. Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 28 Aug. 2026 Her immense musical talent guaranteed her top-tier standing in country music and propelled her into a level of mainstream success that only a handful of her peers would match. Ann Powers, NPR, 26 Aug. 2026 Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley have ample firepower, both lines are good, and the defense is top-tier. Miami Herald, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for top-tier

Word History

First Known Use

1879, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of top-tier was in 1879

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Top-tier.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/top-tier. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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