hierarchical

adjective

hi·​er·​ar·​chi·​cal ˌhī-(ə-)ˈrär-ki-kəl 

also hir-ˈär-

variants or hierarchic

ˌhī-(ə-)ˈrär-kik 

also hir-ˈär-

: of, relating to, or arranged in a hierarchy

a hierarchical society

a hierarchical order in the church

hierarchically

ˌhī-(ə-)ˈrär-ki-k(ə-)lē 

also hir-ˈär-

adverb

Examples of hierarchical in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The result was a more hierarchical, siloed system — one that didn’t keep pace with the Valley’s dynamism. —Morris M. Kleiner, Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2026

At its core is a hierarchical control architecture that tightly links high-level cognition with low-level motion execution. —Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 21 Apr. 2026

The research combined these approaches to create hierarchical protein-cellulose materials using phase separation—a process that allows components to self-organize into structured forms. —Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 20 Apr. 2026

Fiercely independent, the church maintains a hierarchical structure and is currently in its third generation of leadership. —Rodney Muhumuza, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

see hierarchy

First Known Use

1561, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing hierarchical

• anti-hierarchical

Rhymes for hierarchical

• anarchical
• oligarchical

Kids Definition

hierarchical

adjective

hi·​er·​ar·​chi·​cal ˌhī-(ə-)ˈrär-ki-kəl 

variants or hierarchic

-kik 

: of, relating to, or arranged in a hierarchy

hierarchically

-ˈrär-ki-k(ə-)lē 

adverb