hierarchy
Pluralhierarchies
- 1A system where people or groups are ranked, with some having more power than others.
Like a ladder, where each step stands higher than the one below it.
The company has a clear hierarchy, with managers above the regular workers.
In many schools there is a hierarchy among students based on age.
- 2A set of things arranged in order, where each one sits below the one directly above it.
Like a family tree, where each person connects up to one parent.
A computer's folders form a hierarchy, with smaller folders kept inside bigger ones.
Animal groups can be sorted into a hierarchy, from a single species up to a whole kingdom.
Similartree
Note
- 3A group of officials in charge, arranged in ranks from the highest down to the lowest.
Like the bosses in a company, from the top boss down to the team leaders.
The church hierarchy decides who is allowed to become a priest.
A military hierarchy passes orders from the top down to the soldiers.
Similarleadership, establishment, bureaucracy
Note
Practice
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Origin
It comes from an Ancient Greek word meaning 'rule of a high priest', from the words for 'holy' and 'I rule'. It reached English through Latin and Old French.