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hierarchy

HY-er-ar-kee /ˈhaɪərɑːrki/

nounB2GRESATIELTSGMAT

FormalGeneralAcademic

A system or organization in which people or groups are ranked one above the other according to status or authority.

While used generally today (like a corporate hierarchy), its origins are strictly religious.

The story behind the word. Originally, 'hierarchy' meant 'rule by priests' or 'sacred rule'. It was first used by Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite to describe the different levels of angels in heaven.

Word relationships

pecking order: Pecking order is informal and often implies competition; hierarchy is formal and structural.
ranking: Ranking is the act of placing in order; hierarchy is the system itself.

anarchy: Anarchy is a state of disorder due to absence of authority; hierarchy is the presence of structured authority.

Commonly confused with

stratification: Stratification refers to layers in society; hierarchy refers to the chain of command.

Word family

hierarchical (adjective): Arranged in order of rank.

Collocations

social hierarchy
rigid hierarchy
ecclesiastical hierarchy

Example sentences

"The church hierarchy begins with the local priest and ascends all the way to the Pope." Describing the structure of the Catholic Church.
"He worked his way up the corporate hierarchy to become the CEO." General organizational use.

Memory hook

HIER-archy: Think of 'HIGHER' ranks. Sacred rule.

When not to use

Can be used in almost any context involving ranking, but in this group, it refers to the levels of clergy.

Fun facts

The word was not used for non-religious organizations until the 19th century.

Related words

prelate, ordain

Explore more words

chain of command, peer, bureaucracy, supremacy, subordinate, command