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

Traditional Leadership Traits In the past, leadership was often defined by hierarchical structures, with decision-making centralized at the top. —Iris Gallmann, Forbes, 25 Sep. 2024

These groups are hierarchical, and macaques on Cayo Santiago used to be quite aggressive to other members of their group. —Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 23 Sep. 2024

Friends treat each other as equals, whereas workplaces are necessarily hierarchical and specialized. —Belinda Luscombe, TIME, 5 Sep. 2024

Some packs are hierarchical and include alpha, beta, and omega pups. —Quispe López, Them, 26 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

see hierarchy

First Known Use

1561, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing hierarchical

• anti-hierarchical

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