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

And in high-stakes or hierarchical environments, that space must be built with intention. —Ann Kowal Smith, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025

Torture to order Entering the disturbing world of these networks exposes an entire subculture with its own terminology and hierarchical structure. —Rebecca Wright, CNN Money, 30 May 2025

Eastern chimpanzees tend to be more aggressive, live in bigger groups and have more hierarchical societies than the more egalitarian western chimpanzees. —Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 May 2025

At the last conclave in 2013, the order of the procession began with the cross, choir, prelates and the secretary of the conclave, before the cardinals entered two by two in the reverse order of their hierarchical precedence (deacons, priests, then bishops). —Nbc News, NBC news, 7 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

see hierarchy

First Known Use

1561, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing hierarchical

• anti-hierarchical

Rhymes for hierarchical

• oligarchical
• anarchical

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