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stratification

strad-ih-fih-KAY-shun /ˌstræt.ɪ.fɪˈkeɪ.ʃən/

nounC1GRESATUPSC

academicsociological

The division of a society into separate, unequal layers or classes based on wealth, status, or power.

Unlike simple difference, stratification implies a structured, durable system where layers are stacked vertically, making it difficult for those at the bottom to access resources at the top.

The story behind the word. The word traces back to the Latin 'stratum', meaning 'something spread out' or 'a coverlet'. Originally used by geologists to describe layers of rock laid down over millennia, 19th-century sociologists borrowed the term to describe how human societies are divided into distinct, unequal layers of wealth and power.

Word relationships

layering: Layering is a general, physical term, whereas stratification is specifically used in academic contexts for structured societal divisions.
categorization: Categorization is simply sorting things into groups, while stratification specifically implies a vertical ranking of inequality.

egalitarianism: Egalitarianism is the belief in and promotion of absolute social equality, the direct opposite of a stratified system.
classlessness: Classlessness is a state of society where no social divisions or ranks exist.

Commonly confused with

segmentation: Segmentation is dividing a market or population into horizontal, non-ranked groups, whereas stratification always implies a vertical hierarchy of privilege.

Word family

stratify (verb): To form or arrange into social strata or layers.
stratified (adjective): Divided or arranged into distinct social classes or layers.

Collocations

social stratification
economic stratification
rigid stratification
class stratification

Example sentences

"The rapid growth of the gig economy has deepened social stratification, creating a permanent underclass of insecure workers." Sociological analysis of modern economies
"Just as geologists study rock layers, sociologists analyze social stratification to understand how wealth is deposited across different classes." Geological analogy in sociology

Memory hook

Think of a 'stratified' society as a multi-layered pastry (like a strudel) where the rich sweet glaze sits only on the very top layer, while the dry crust is stuck at the bottom. Strata = layers. Stratification is the making of layers.

When not to use

Do not use when referring to simple differences or unranked variety, such as a diverse group of hobbies or a mixture of paint colors.

Fun facts

Archaeologists use physical stratification (soil layers) to date artifacts, while sociologists use social stratification to explain who gets access to those artifacts in modern times.