The upper classes; the nobility, the aristocracy. Also figurative. Obsolete.

The class to which such a ruling body belongs, a patrician order; the collective body of those who form a privileged class with regard to the…

aristocratic society; high society.

The body of peers; peers as a class. gen. The nobility, the aristocracy; a group of people or things of the highest rank.

Of a person: having or benefiting from close connections with well-regarded, high-status, or influential people.

= ruling class, n.

A patrician class or order; an aristocracy.

People who are well-connected (in sense A. 2) as a class.

In extended use. A distinct class or rank in any society, esp. one characterized by hereditary exclusivity. More generally: any group of people…

figurative. (the) salt of the earth (after Matthew v. 13): the excellent of the earth; formerly, in trivial use, the powerful, aristocratic, or…

Of persons: Having ample leisure, esp. in the leisured class(es.

(see quot. 1860). Obsolete.

The aristocracy and leading families of a county.

The most powerful or influential class in society.

The propertied class; the class of proprietors.

the highest society of a locality.

Esp. as the Establishment: a social group exercising power generally, or within a given field or institution, by virtue of its traditional…

transferred. The ‘upper crust’ of society.

a social or political group that exercises power.

U n. upper class, esp. with reference to linguistic usage; as n., U persons or characteristics collectively, U language. Hence U-ness. Cf. non-U, adj.…

colloquial. An upper-class person.

(With capital initial.) The upper or ruling classes, the Establishment. Frequently attributive passing into adj.