tier

¹ American  

[teer] / tɪər /

noun

1. one of a series of rows or ranks rising one behind or above another, as of seats in an amphitheater, boxes in a theater, guns in a man-of-war, or oars in an ancient galley.

2. one of a number of galleries, as in a theater.

3. a layer; level; stratum.

   The wedding cake had six tiers.

   All three tiers of the firm's management now report to one director.

4. Australian. a mountain range.

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verb (used with object)

1. to arrange in tiers.

verb (used without object)

1. to rise in tiers.

tier ² American  

[tahy-er] / ˈtaɪ ər /

noun

1. a person or thing that ties.

2. Nautical. a short rope or band for securing a furled sail.

3. New England. a child's apron or pinafore.

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tier ¹ British  

/ tɪə /

noun

1. one of a set of rows placed one above and behind the other, such as theatre seats

2. 1. a layer or level

   2. ( in combination )

      a three-tier cake

3. a rank, order, or row

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verb

1. to be or arrange in tiers

tier ² British  

/ ˈtaɪə /

noun

1. a person or thing that ties

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Etymology

Origin of tier¹

First recorded in 1560–70; earlier also tire, tyre, teare, from Middle French, Old French tire, tiere “order, row, rank,” from Germanic; compare Old English, Old Saxon tīr, Old High German zēri “glory, adornment”

Origin of tier²

First recorded in 1625–35; tie + -er ¹

Explanation

A tier is a level or a layer. If you sit in the top tier of seats at a concert, you can see the whole stage and most of the audience — but you probably have to climb lots of stairs. A tier can describe a layer of ruffles on a dress, a section of seats in a stadium, or one layer of a fancy cake. You could also talk about a tier in terms of value or position. For example, the most popular, well-known actors might be considered part of the top tier, getting all the best parts. Tier originated from the Old French word tire: rank, sequence, or order.

Example Sentences

Though rated investment-grade, its bonds trade more in line with the highest tier of speculative-grade debt.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 9, 2026

Maro Itoje, Jamie George, Owen Farrell, Elliot Daly, and Mako and Billy Vunipola dutifully served out a single-season spell in the second tier.

From BBC • Jun. 4, 2026

Stark said she sought professional help in the form of a mental coach, sports psychologist and therapist and now believes she’s better able to withstand the scrutiny that comes with winning at the highest tier.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 3, 2026

Limitations The 2GB cap is tight, and the new auto-server policy means no country selection on the free tier.

From Salon • Jun. 2, 2026

Even his opponents recognized that Harrison, despite his privileged roots, made an intensely appealing candidate for the city’s lesser tier.

From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson

Related Words

• category
• layer
• row