top-tier

American

[top-teer] / ˈtɒpˈtɪər /

adjective

of or among the highest rank, level, importance, or quality.

It was again named the top-tier exterior house paint.
She was sought after by three top-tier college basketball teams.

Etymology

Origin of top-tier

First recorded in 1940–45; top ¹ ( def. ) + tier ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Traditional promotion and relegation to and from the top-tier Prem will be scrapped from the start of the 2026-27 season after landmark changes to English rugby were voted through.

From BBC

A trio of top-tier teams - Wasps, London Irish and Worcester - went bust in the 2022-23 season, causing concerns over the long-term sustainability of the league.

From BBC

Much like the Hollywood Palladium, which is known for its top-tier sound, Vinyl Room also makes sound a priority.

From Los Angeles Times

It recently revamped its program, introducing a three-tier structure that offers ways to earn points faster, but also dangles exclusive merchandise and curated experiences for its top-tier members.

From Barron's

It is also likely to help recruit top-tier employees.

From The Wall Street Journal

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023