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

Discovery announced Thursday it will launch an All Access subscription tier for CNN.com available for $6.99 a month starting Oct.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The ruling is subject to the sale being completed by November 10 when a preservation order on the San Siro's second tier will come into effect should the stadium still be in the city's hands.

Read more on Barron's

He is now combining coaching in the evenings in Dubai with training in the mornings after signing an initial one-year deal with the Falcons, as the club target promotion to the second tier.

Read more on BBC

The ruling coalition in Belgium's largely French-speaking Walloon region has announced that teachers in the higher tiers of secondary schools will have to work an extra two hours per week.

Read more on BBC

Average annual luxury spending in second tier cities increased by 22% last year, surpassing first tier cities where spending decreased by 4%.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• category 
• layer 
• row