Hierarchy — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˈhī-(ə-)ˌrär-kē/ hi·er·ar·chy

Meaning & Definition of Hierarchy

Hierarchy (noun)

  1. a body of persons in authority
  2. the classification of a group of people according to ability or to economic, social, or professional standing; also, the group so classified
  3. a ruling body of clergy organized into orders or ranks each subordinate to the one above it; especially, the bishops of a province or nation

Hierarchy (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a scheme of rank or order

    "honesty sits at the top of my hierarchy of values"

    similar: graduation, ladder, ordering, ranking, scale
    related: food chain, pecking order, arrangement, array, disposal, disposition, distribution, sequence, series, setup, degree, echelon, footing, level, place, position, reaches, rung, situation, spot, standing, station, status

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Hierarchy

The most common words with a similar meaning to Hierarchy:

graduation, ladder, ordering, ranking, scale

Related Words for Hierarchy

food chain, pecking order, arrangement, array, disposal, disposition, distribution, sequence, series, setup, degree, echelon, footing, level, place, position, reaches, rung, situation, spot, standing, station, status

Word Forms of Hierarchy

Inflections: hierarchies

Origin & Etymology of Hierarchy

Middle English ierarchie rank or order of holy beings, from Anglo-French jerarchie, from Medieval Latin hierarchia, from Late Greek, from Greek hierarchēs

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Hierarchy

Words & Phrases Containing Hierarchy

celestial hierarchy

Frequently Asked Questions about Hierarchy

What does "Hierarchy" mean?

"Hierarchy" means a body of persons in authority. As a noun, it is defined as: a body of persons in authority.

What is another word for "Hierarchy"?

Other words for "Hierarchy" include graduation, ladder, ordering, ranking and scale. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Hierarchy" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Hierarchy"?

There are 28 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Hierarchy". Common alternatives include graduation, ladder, ordering, ranking and scale.

How do you use "Hierarchy" in a sentence?

Examples of "Hierarchy" in a sentence: "honesty sits at the top of my hierarchy of values".

Is "Hierarchy" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Hierarchy" is a noun.

Is "Hierarchy" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C1-level word, "Hierarchy" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Hierarchy"?

"Hierarchy" is pronounced /ˈhī-(ə-)ˌrär-kē/ and divided into syllables as hi·er·ar·chy.

What is the origin of the word "Hierarchy"?

"Hierarchy" comes from Middle English ierarchie rank or order of holy beings, from Anglo-French jerarchie, from Medieval Latin hierarchia, from Late Greek, from Greek hierarchēs. First known use: 14th century.