select

7 definitions • 19 examples

to choose a small number of things, or to choose by making careful decisions:

There was a choice of four prizes, and the winner could select one of them.

A mouse is a device which makes it easier to select different options from computer menus.

How do you select people for promotion?

[ + obj + to infinitive ] He was selected to play for Australia at the age of only 18.

of only the best type or highest quality, and usually small in size or amount:

It's a very select club - I've been trying unsuccessfully to join it for years.

These activities should be available to all students, not just a select few.

Hamilton lives in a very select part of Boston.

to choose something, or to make a choice:

[ T ] They have the option of selecting the school that they want their kids to go to.

[ I ] You can select from among the offerings shown on this screen.

the best of its type or highest in quality:

select fruit/school

a select group of people

to choose someone or something from a group of people or things after careful thought:

The role of marketing is to select the target markets.

select sth/sb as sth The bank has just been selected as the preferred bidder for Brussels International Airport.

select sth/sb for sth The application form will be used to select candidates for interview.

select (sth) from sth We were able to select from a large pool of applicants and to recruit people of a high standard.

to choose something from a computer menu (= list), or to mark something that you have chosen on a computer screen:

Open Outlook on the first machine and select File Import and Export to launch the program.

Select the text you want to copy and press Control-C.

of only the best type or highest quality, and usually small in amount:

Historically, stamp duty has been paid by fund managers and a select few private investors.

The products will be sold at a select group of specialist stores.