stratification

American  

[strat-uh-fi-key-shuhn] / ˌstræt ə fɪˈkeɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the act or an instance of stratifying.

2. a stratified state or appearance.

   the stratification of ancient ruins from eight different periods.

3. Also called social stratification.  Sociology. the hierarchical or vertical division of society according to rank, caste, or class.

   stratification of feudal society.

4. Geology.

   1. formation of strata; deposition or occurrence in strata.

   2. a stratum.

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stratification British  

/ ˌstrætɪfɪˈkeɪʃən /

noun

1. the arrangement of sedimentary rocks in distinct layers (strata), each layer representing the sediment deposited over a specific period

2. the act of stratifying or state of being stratified

3. sociol See social stratification

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stratification Scientific  

/ străt′ə-fĭ-kā′shən /

1. Formation or deposition of layers, as of rock, sediments, or atmospheric regions.

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stratification Cultural  

1. The process by which materials form or are deposited in layers, as in sedimentary rocks and some igneous rocks.

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Discover More

The atmosphere and the ocean also exhibit stratification, with the warmer air or water occupying the upper layers.

Other Word Forms

• stratificational
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of stratification

First recorded in 1610–20, stratification is from the Medieval Latin word strātificātiōn- (stem of strātificātiō ). See strati-, -fication

Explanation

Stratification means arranging something, or something that has been arranged, into categories. By the time you figure out the complex social stratification of your high school class, from jocks to nerds and everything between, you’re ready to graduate. Stratification is a system or formation of layers, classes, or categories. Stratification is used to describe a particular way of arranging seeds while planting, as well as the geological layers of rocks. But like so many science words, somehow it’s not content to stay in the scientific realm, and must also have a place in the social sphere, where its job is to categorize and arrange people into groups: upper, middle, and lower classes, for example.

Example Sentences

Stratification can make it harder for heat, oxygen and vital nutrients to be transported throughout the water column.

From Scientific American • Jan. 12, 2023

Darrick Hamilton, a professor of economics and urban policy and the founding director of the Institute for the Study of Race, Stratification and Political Economy at The New School, also pointed to the financial crisis.

From New York Times • Sep. 25, 2021

Stratification conditions can change for other reasons, Alsip said, but climate change is the "proximate threat," and the risk of a major carp invasion is expected to increase as climate conditions change.

From Scientific American • Jul. 8, 2020

Stratification, like Q, is a global measure, which applies to the whole society.

From Slate • Mar. 23, 2012

Structure and Stratification on the Furgge glacier394 47.

From The Glaciers of the Alps Being a narrative of excursions and ascents, etc. by Tyndall, John