stratum
About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.
About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.stra·tum
noun \ˈstrā-təm, ˈstra-\ plural stra·ta \ˈstrā-tə, ˈstra-\
Definition of STRATUM
1
: a bed or layer artificially made
2
a : a sheetlike mass of sedimentary rock or earth of one kind lying between beds of other kinds b : a region of the sea or atmosphere that is analogous to a stratum of the earth c : a layer of tissue <deep stratum of the skin> d : a layer in which archaeological material (as artifacts, skeletons, and dwelling remains) is found on excavation
3
a : a part of a historical or sociological series representing a period or a stage of development b : a socioeconomic level of society comprising persons of the same or similar status especially with regard to education or culture
4
: one of a series of layers, levels, or gradations in an ordered system <strata of thought>
5
: a statistical subpopulation
See Usage Discussion of STRATUM
The plural strata has occasionally been used as a singular since the 18th century and is sometimes given the plural stratas <there was a strata of Paris which mere criticism of books fails to get hold of — Ezra Pound> <a Roman burial ground suggests stratas of corruption and decay — Connie Fletcher, Booklist>. Current evidence shows senses 2, 3b, and 4 so used, with 3b the most common. Singular strata is persistent but not frequent. Strata may someday establish itself as a singular like agenda, but that use is still not established.
Examples of STRATUM
- <the lower strata of society have been hit especially hard by this economic downturn>
- <the level of writing in that pop novel is several strata beneath that of serious fiction>
Origin of STRATUM
New Latin, from Latin, spread, bed, from neuter of stratus, past participle of sternere to spread out — more at strew
First Known Use: 1599
stra·tum
noun \ˈstrāt-əm, ˈstrat-\ (Medical Dictionary)plural stra·ta \ˈstrāt-ə, ˈstrat-\
Medical Definition of STRATUM
1
: a layer of tissue <a deep stratum of the skin>
2
: a statistical subpopulation
Learn More About STRATUM
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: stratum corneum
Previous Word in the Dictionary: stratovolcano
All Words Near: stratum
Previous Word in the Dictionary: stratovolcano
All Words Near: stratum
Seen & Heard 
What made you want to look up stratum? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
