elder
1 of 3noun (1)
el·der ˈel-dər 
: elderberry sense 2
elder
2 of 3adjective
1
: of earlier birth or greater age
his elder brother
2
: of or relating to earlier times : former
3
archaic : of or relating to a more advanced time of life
4
: prior or superior in rank, office, or validity
elder
3 of 3noun (2)
1
: one living in an earlier period
2
a
: one who is older : senior
a child trying to please her elders
b
: an aged person
3
: one having authority by virtue of age and experience
the village elders
4
: any of various officers of religious groups: such as
a
: presbyter sense 1
b
: a permanent officer elected by a Presbyterian congregation and ordained to serve on the session and assist the pastor at communion
c
: minister sense 2
d
: a leader of the Shakers
e
: a Mormon ordained to the Melchizedek priesthood
eldership
ˈel-dər-ˌship
noun 
Synonyms
Noun (2)
- ancient
- geriatric
- golden-ager
- old-timer
- oldster
- senior
- senior citizen
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Word History
Etymology
Noun (1)
Middle English eldre, from Old English ellærn; perhaps akin to Old English alor alder — more at alder
Adjective
Middle English, from Old English ieldra, comparative of eald old
First Known Use
Noun (1)
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above
Adjective
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Noun (2)
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing elder
Kids Definition
elder 1 of 3
noun
el·der ˈel-dər
: elderberry sense 1
elder
2 of 3adjective
: being older than another person
elder
3 of 3noun
1
: a person who is older
2
: a person having authority because of age and experience
elders of the village
3
: an official in some churches
Medical Definition
elder
noun
el·der ˈel-dər
: elderberry sense 2
elders
noun
1
as in adults
a person of advanced years in that Asian society elders are accorded great respect Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- adults
- oldsters
- ancients
- geriatrics
- senior citizens
- seniors
- patriarchs
- old-timers
- golden-agers
- graybeards
- dowagers
- whitebeards
- grown-ups
- beldames
- dotards
- beldams
- gaffers
- grandams
- grandames
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- youngsters
- youths
- adolescents
- children
- kids
- minors
- juveniles
- kiddies
- cubs
2
as in superiors
one who is above another in rank, station, or office as your elder in the company, he is within his rights to tell you what to do Synonyms & Similar Words
- superiors
- leaders
- seniors
- bosses
- chiefs
- masters
- betters
- heads
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- subordinates
- assistants
- underlings
- deputies
- inferiors
3
as in ancestors
one who is older than another it wouldn't hurt to show a little more respect for your elders Synonyms & Similar Words
- ancestors
- seniors
- predecessors
- forerunners
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- peers
- descendants
- contemporaries
- successors
- juniors
- descendents
4
as in deans
the senior member of a group as the elder of the contingent of living former presidents, he was accorded a place of highest honor at the ceremonies Synonyms & Similar Words
- deans
- veterans
- seniors
- superiors
- elder statesmen
- nestors
- doyens
- betters
- vets
- éminences grises
- old hands
- old-timers
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- juniors
- babies
- subordinates
- newcomers
- underlings
- inferiors
- freshmen
- novices
- neophytes
- greenhorns
- recruits
- doyennes
- rookies
- newbies
- fledglings
- beginners
- colts
- tyros
- tenderfoots
- tenderfeet