Hierarchy
A system in which people or things are arranged in levels of importance or authority, from highest to lowest.
nounHierarchy
A system in which people or things are arranged in levels of importance or authority, from highest to lowest.
nounImagine This
Picture a grand pyramid in a royal court: the king sits at the apex, followed by nobles, knights, stewards, merchants, and peasants—each level overseeing or serving those below.
Sounds Like
HY-uh-RAHR-kee
Looks Like
A multi-tiered pyramid or ladder showing levels of power and status.
Remember This
Hierarchy describes an ordered ranking system used in organizations, societies, and even Maslow's hierarchy of needs; the root 'archy' means rule.
Other Forms
Connect With
order, rank, structure, pyramid, chain of command, stratification
Note
Nouns like 'hierarchy' describe structure; the adjective form is 'hierarchical' and the verb form is 'hierarchize'.