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.

When it comes to variety shows, drag brunches and clowns, our town is top tier.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 29, 2026

Nabongo is a Delta Diamond Medallion member — the top tier of Delta fliers — but she doesn’t always believe she is treated like one.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 10, 2026

The top tier consists of the anti-ballistic missile Arrow systems, with Arrow 2 operating both within the Earth's atmosphere and in space and Arrow 3 intercepting above the Earth's atmosphere.

From Barron's • Mar. 28, 2026

A sports team that consistently ranks in the top tier of its division is unlikely to be a fluke.

From Salon • Mar. 27, 2026

Status among people in the top tier, he said, “is the time spent being waited on, being taken care of in nail salons, and how many people who work for them.”

From "Class Matters" by The New York Times

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