Hierarchy
A system in which people or things are arranged according to rank or authority; a graded order of importance or power.
nounHierarchy
A system in which people or things are arranged according to rank or authority; a graded order of importance or power.
nounImagine This
The president and his top advisors make up the higher arch of the government.
Sounds Like
hai-ER-ar-kee
Looks Like
high-archy (visual cue: resembles 'high' + 'archy')
Remember This
From Greek hierarkhía, meaning 'rule of sacred rulers' (hieros = sacred, arkhos = ruler).
Other Forms
Connect With
authority, ranking, chain of command, order, stratification
Note
A hierarchy is about a structured ladder of authority. Be careful not to confuse it with anarchy (no governing structure) or monarchy (rule by a single person).
Study Deeper
- The corporate hierarchy places the CEO at the top, followed by senior executives and managers.
- Maslow's hierarchy of needs explains how people prioritize basic needs before pursuing higher goals.
From Greek hierarkhía, from hieros 'sacred' + arkhos 'ruler'. The term originally referred to rule by sacred figures and later to any organized system of ranks.
Higher archy: picture a tall arch over a line of people; the higher the arch, the higher the rank—remember that hierarchy is a system of ranked authority.
Next Word
Continue in alphabetical order.
Try a Random Word
Pick any word below to jump in.
Similar Words
Related words and words with the same part of speech.
Abasement
nounThe act or instance of humiliating or degrading someone; the state of being lowered in dignity or status.
Absurdity
nounThe quality or state of being wildly unreasonable, illogical, or ridiculous; something that is completely contrary to reason or common sense.
Accent
nounA distinctive way of pronouncing words; the act of emphasizing a syllable or word (as a verb, to accent means to emphasize).
Accolade
nounAn honor; a public expression of praise or an award.
Acrimony
nounBitterness of speech or manner; ill feeling
Acronym
nounA word formed from the initial letters of a phrase, pronounced as a single word and used as a shorthand for the full name (for example, NASA or radar).