hierarchy
noun
any system of persons or things ranked one above another.
hierarchies
-
pluralof hierarchy.plural
The grammatical form denoting more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The tattoo-covered, street-smart Seryoga studies macroeconomics, recites the poetry of Joseph Brodsky and schools Mr. Gershkovich on prison slang, customs and hierarchies.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 22, 2026
In its core regions, Indigenous communities became organized into political hierarchies, with powerful chiefdoms exerting influence over surrounding settlements.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 6, 2026
The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art is challenging art-world hierarchies by placing commercial art, comics and pop culture works in conversation with pieces by Frida Kahlo, Mary Cassatt, Pablo Picasso, Vincent van Gogh and more.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 20, 2026
These AI systems demonstrated the ability to coordinate, establish hierarchies among themselves, cheat and erase traces of their actions.
From Barron's ● Sep. 13, 2026
Humans, like chimps, have social instincts that enabled our ancestors to form friendships and hierarchies, and to hunt or fight together.
From "Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind" by Yuval Noah Harari
