echelon
noun [ C ] uk/ˈeʃ.ə.lɒn/ us/ˈeʃ.ə.lɑːn/
（军队、企业等组织的）等级，阶层，某一等级（或阶层）的所有人
a particular level or group of people within an organization such as an army or company
These salary increases will affect only the highest echelons of local government. 这些加薪举措仅仅会涉及到当地政府的最高层。
the upper echelons of society 社会上层
military specialized（士兵、飞机或船只的）梯形编队，梯队
a special arrangement of soldiers, aircraft, or ships