stratify

American  

[strat-uh-fahy] / ˈstræt əˌfaɪ /

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.

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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 British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of stratify

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

Example Sentences

More companies in recent years have taken to stratifying their customer service, providing those who pay for higher-tier memberships with special phone lines and direct access to customer support.

From The Wall Street Journal

For instance, while it is by no means an eat-the-rich manifesto, the musical explores how financially stratified New York—and London and other cities—has become.

From The Wall Street Journal

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

From The Wall Street Journal

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

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Salon