elder

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun

n. an important leader in a tribe or a small community who gives advice.

n. an influential member of a tribe or community, respected for their experience and authority in consultative or ceremonial roles.

“The village elders met to discuss how to fix the water pump.”

“The tribal elders served as the final arbiters in disputes regarding traditional boundaries and inheritance rights.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Religion Formal

n. a person who has a special job or high rank in a church.

n. an ordained or appointed official in certain Christian denominations, often responsible for administration or spiritual guidance.

“He was appointed as an elder in his local church last Sunday.”

“The council of elders convened to review the theological curriculum for the upcoming missionary training programme.”

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Science Technical

n. a small tree that has white flowers and dark purple berries.

n. a shrub or small tree of the genus Sambucus, typically bearing clusters of small white flowers and dark berries.

“We picked berries from the elder tree to make homemade jam.”

“The elder is widely valued in traditional medicine for its flowers and fruit, though the raw leaves and stems are mildly toxic.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Formal

adj. used to describe the older of two people, especially in a family.

adj. denoting the older of two related people, or the senior of two people with the same name.

“The elder sister took care of the family business after their father retired.”

“The elder Pitt was a formidable orator whose influence dominated British politics during the mid-eighteenth century.”