noun
Common
hierarchy
HEYE-uh-rah-kee
Hierarchy (noun) means a system in which people or things are ranked one above another according to status or authority. Example: “She quickly climbed the corporate hierarchy.”
noun
1
A system in which people or things are ranked one above another according to status or authority.
"She quickly climbed the corporate hierarchy."
"The military hierarchy has clear chains of command."
"In a traditional hospital, there is a strict hierarchy from porters to consultants."
2
Any set of things ranked so that each one is subordinate to the one above it.
"The document uses a hierarchy of headings to organize the content."
"Folders on a computer form a hierarchy, with each one nested inside another."
"Biologists sort living things into a hierarchy, from broad kingdoms down to single species."
How to use hierarchy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA ranked system, from top to bottom — of people, authority, or ideas.
Common pairings
corporate hierarchy
climb the hierarchy
a hierarchy of needs
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Word forms
- Plural
- hierarchies
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Etymology
From Ancient Greek "hierarkhía" ("rule of a high priest"), from "hierarkhes" ("high priest"), combining "hieros" ("holy") and "arkho" ("to rule").
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for hierarchy
See all rhymes for hierarchy →Frequently asked questions
What does “hierarchy” mean?
The word “hierarchy” means a system in which people or things are ranked one above another according to status or authority. In plain terms, a ranked system, from top to bottom — of people, authority, or ideas.
How do you pronounce “hierarchy”?
“Hierarchy” is pronounced HEYE-uh-rah-kee (/ˈhaɪ.ə.ɹɑː(ɹ).ki/ in IPA).
How do you use “hierarchy” in a sentence?
Here is “hierarchy” used in a sentence: “She quickly climbed the corporate hierarchy.”
What part of speech is “hierarchy”?
“Hierarchy” is a noun.
Where does the word “hierarchy” come from?
The word “hierarchy” comes from Ancient Greek. From Ancient Greek "hierarkhía" ("rule of a high priest"), from "hierarkhes" ("high priest"), combining "hieros" ("holy") and "arkho" ("to rule").
Is “hierarchy” a common word?
“Hierarchy” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “hierarchy” have?
“Hierarchy” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a system in which people or things are ranked one above another according to status or authority.
What is the difference between a hierarchy and a chain of command?
A hierarchy is the overall system in which people or things are ranked one above another according to status or authority. A chain of command refers more specifically to the line of authority through which orders and instructions pass within that hierarchy, such as in the military or a company.
Can hierarchy refer to things other than organizations?
Yes, hierarchy can describe any set of things ranked so that each one is subordinate to the one above it, not just organizations of people. Examples include a hierarchy of needs, a hierarchy of importance, or a file hierarchy on a computer.
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