stratify

[strat-uh-fahy]

verb (used with object)

stratified, stratifying 

1. to form or place in strata or layers.

2. to preserve or germinate (seeds) by placing them between layers of earth.

3. Sociology.,  to arrange in a hierarchical order, especially according to graded status levels.

verb (used without object)

stratified, stratifying 

1. to form strata.

2. Geology.,  to lie in beds or layers.

3. Sociology.,  to develop hierarchically, especially as graded status levels.

stratify

/ ˈstrætɪˌfaɪ /

verb

1. to form or be formed in layers or strata

2. (tr) to preserve or render fertile (seeds) by storing between layers of sand or earth

3. sociol to divide (a society) into horizontal status groups or (of a society) to develop such groups

Other Word Forms

• de-stratify verb (used with object)
• multistratified adjective
• nonstratified adjective
• semistratified adjective
• stratified adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of stratify¹

1655–65; modeled on New Latin strātificāre, equivalent to strāti- strati- + -ficāre -fy

Word History and Origins

Origin of stratify¹

C17: from French stratifier, from New Latin stratificāre, from Latin _stratum

Example Sentences

Companies across the board are facing a misalignment between the way traditional corporate org charts stratify skills and getting the most out of AI.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

There are the “winners” in this increasingly stratified society who can move into formerly working-class, poor, and underclass communities and buy/rent property.

Read more on Salon

I think what’s bothered me about romance is that people have these stratified steps and a playbook and rules.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

And the most recent study found that certain blood biomarkers may help researchers stratify patients for different treatments.

Read more on Salon

"Aside from potentially predicting future psychosis onset, biomarkers could also help stratify patients into clinically meaningful subgroups and suggest new options for treatment or intervention."

Read more on Science Daily