Definition of stratumnext
1
as in class
one of the segments of society into which people are grouped the lower strata of society have been hit especially hard by this economic downturn

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2
as in level
the placement of someone or something in relation to others in a vertical arrangement the level of writing in that pop novel is several strata beneath that of serious fiction

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of stratum The taco features a stratum of smoke and heat, with the octopus piled onto a fresh corn tortilla with purple onions pickled Yucatan-style with citrus. Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026 Daniel Diermeier, the school’s chancellor, is widely perceived within higher ed as trying to elbow into the Harvard-Yale-Stanford stratum. Rose Horowitch, The Atlantic, 18 Feb. 2026 The menace to competition, says Singh, comes at the infrastructure stratum. Shawn Tully, Fortune, 23 Nov. 2025 All of it just another stratum in the atmosphere of my loneliness. Literary Hub, 17 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for stratum
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stratum
Noun
  • As a result, most of the country’s top players come from the banlieues, the working-class immigrant suburbs surrounding Paris.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2026
  • The Royals expect to sign Yehl — and hopefully the remainder of their 2026 draft class.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 12 July 2026
Noun
  • The highlight, aside from Lendeborg getting to ask Johnson a lighthearted question in Johnson’s own postgame media scrum deep inside the arena’s lower level?
    Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 10 July 2026
  • Acuff found a rhythm in the second quarter, demonstrating his three-level scoring ability while showing off his court vision with some beautiful assists.
    Jason Anderson July 9, Sacbee.com, 10 July 2026
Noun
  • The engineer’s caste was Dalit, considered to be on the lower rungs of society, which allegedly made the engineer a target for harassment and discrimination from higher-caste managers.
    David John Chávez, Mercury News, 28 June 2026
  • To that point, human history was a tale of conquest and caste and rigid hierarchies, a world where the strong dominated the weak, where power and wealth and status flowed through lineage and the many were ruled by the few.
    Hilary Gowins, Chicago Tribune, 20 June 2026
Noun
  • That would likely push them into the upper echelon of championship contenders this season, although the 41-year-old James wouldn't factor into their long-term future.
    Bryan Toporek, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
  • Senior safety Jamel Johnson, TCU’s only preseason All-Big 12 selection, explained what the defense needs to do to enter the upper echelon of the Big 12.
    Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 July 2026
Noun
  • Injuries, pitching problems, batting with runners in scoring position and base-running issues all come to mind quickly.
    Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 11 July 2026
  • His performance in any of these positions is at the top level.
    Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 11 July 2026
Noun
  • There’s also sizable future income potential, since crew members can advance through the ranks.
    Nathan Diller, USA Today, 8 July 2026
  • Mariana Yepez climbed the ranks of the Los Angeles street food scene before building her own taco empire.
    James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
Noun
  • Already one of the longest-ruling winners in the ranking’s history, the single may continue to run the show for weeks — or even months — to come.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026
  • Both movies have been side-by-side at the box office ranking in the top five.
    Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 10 July 2026
Noun
  • For a safer outdoor work environment, follow the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)'s guidance by scheduling regular rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned places.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 14 July 2026
  • The third-place match (bronze medal game) is scheduled for Saturday evening back at Hard Rock in Miami Gardens.
    Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 14 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Stratum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stratum. Accessed 15 Jul. 2026.

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