This invention provides an organic electroluminescent element (organic EL element) utilizing phosphorescence which emits light efficiently with high luminance at low current density, shows good driving stability and is applicable to display devices such as flat panel displays and illuminating devices. The element comprises an anode, organic layers and a cathode piled one upon another on a substrate, at least one of the organic layers is a light-emitting layer containing a host material and a dopant material and a pyrazole-derived compound having 2-4 pyrazole structures represented by the following formula I in the same molecule is used as said host material; ##STR00001## wherein, Ar.sub.1-Ar.sub.3 are independently hydrogen or substituted or unsubstituted aromatic hydrocarbon groups and at least one of Ar.sub.1-Ar.sub.3 is a group other than hydrogen.