noun
Common
tier
TEYE-uh
Tier (noun) means one of a series of levels or rows, especially arranged one above another. Example: “The cinema has two tiers of seats, one above the other.”
noun
1
One of a series of levels or rows, especially arranged one above another.
"The cinema has two tiers of seats, one above the other."
"The wedding cake had three tiers."
"Fans in the upper tier of the stadium had a great view."
2
A rank, grade, or category within a larger system.
"Our football club moved up to a higher tier after winning the league."
"The company offers three tiers of membership."
"This restaurant belongs in the top tier for fine dining."
verb
1
To arrange in levels or layers.
"The gardeners tiered the flower beds so each row got plenty of sun."
"The hillside vineyard was tiered into narrow terraces for easier planting."
"The seating was tiered so everyone could see the stage."
How to use tier
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA level, layer, or rank within a series or system.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
top tier
multi-tiered
tier system
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Word forms
- Plural
- tiers
- Third person singular
- tiers
- Past tense
- tiered
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The cinema has two _____ of seats, one above the other.
Etymology
From "tie" plus "-er," originally describing a row of things tied or fastened together.
Related words
Rhymes for tier
See all rhymes for tier →Frequently asked questions
What does “tier” mean?
The word “tier” means one of a series of levels or rows, especially arranged one above another. In plain terms, a level, layer, or rank within a series or system.
How do you pronounce “tier”?
“Tier” is pronounced TEYE-uh (/ˈtaɪ.ɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “tier” in a sentence?
Here is “tier” used in a sentence: “The wedding cake had three tiers.”
What part of speech is “tier”?
Depending on how it is used, “tier” can be a noun and a verb.
Is “tier” a common word?
“Tier” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “tier” have?
“Tier” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: one of a series of levels or rows, especially arranged one above another.
What is the difference between a "tier" and a "row"?
A row is any line of things placed side by side, while a tier is specifically a level in a series arranged one above another, like the tiers of a cake or a stadium. A tier is a kind of row, but tiers imply stacked, rising levels.
What is the difference between a "tier" and a "layer"?
A layer is a thickness of material spread over a surface, while a tier is a distinct level or rank in a structure that you can usually see or count. A wedding cake shows both: layers of sponge within each tier.
How is "tier" used to mean rank or category?
"Tier" often describes a level within a graded system, as in "top-tier," "a three-tier pricing plan," or "second-tier teams." In this sense it means a grade or class rather than a physical shelf or row.
Is "tier" the same as "tear"?
No. "Tier" means a level or rank and sounds like "tear" meaning a drop from the eye, but the two are spelled differently and unrelated in meaning. The other "tear," meaning to rip, is pronounced differently again.
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