tier

¹

[teer]

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.

verb (used with object)

1. to arrange in tiers.

verb (used without object)

1. to rise in tiers.

tier

²

[tahy-er]

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.

tier

¹

/ 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

verb

1. to be or arrange in tiers

tier

²

/ ˈtaɪə /

noun

1. a person or thing that ties

Word History and Origins

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of tier¹

C16: from Old French tire rank, of Germanic origin; compare Old English tīr embellishment

Example Sentences

The Hoops have amassed 13 titles in the last 14 years during a miserable era for Rangers since their demotion to the fourth tier of Scottish football after going bust in 2012.

Read more on Barron's

It has a $20-a-month “plus” plan and $200-a-month “pro” plan for consumers, in addition to a free tier that comes with limits on queries and runs more slowly.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The Yorkshire club was placed into administration on Friday and handed an automatic 12-point deduction by the EFL, leaving them bottom of the second tier on minus six points.

Read more on BBC

They remember their old home creating a far better atmosphere for games, with the covered athletics track at London Stadium also leaving those in the top tier with a poor view.

Read more on BBC

As a thank you, Perkins made her first cake with those pans for that friend — two tiers blanketed in swirling pastel frosting and studded with real flowers and fresh raspberries.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• category 
• layer 
• row