Word

hierarchy

noun C1

/ˈhaɪ.ə.ɹɑː(ɹ).ki/

Meanings

noun

a system of ranking people or groups into levels of authority or status

noun

an arrangement of things or ideas into levels from general to specific or from more important to less important

Definition

A hierarchy is a system in which people or things are ranked in levels from higher to lower.

A hierarchy is an organized structure that places people, roles, or ideas into different levels of importance, power, or status. It often shows who reports to whom in an organization or how categories are arranged in a system. Hierarchies can make decision-making clearer, but they may also slow communication across levels.

Examples

In the company’s hierarchy, team leads can approve small changes without involving senior management.
She found the university hierarchy confusing at first, especially the difference between lecturers, tutors, and department heads.
The report mapped the hierarchy of needs from basic survival to long-term personal fulfillment.
They challenged the hierarchy in the lab by encouraging junior researchers to question assumptions openly.
I learned where I fit in the hierarchy only after I saw who was copied on the project emails.

Common mistake

Learners often misspell it as “heirarchy” or “hierachy” instead of “hierarchy.”