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

Grassroots organizing led by front-line workers—minimizing the need for hierarchical leadership—has also proved powerful. —Teresa Ghilarducci, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025

The hierarchical and traditional structures of rural life began to erode. —Literary Hub august 27, Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2025

And work is increasingly dynamic and interdisciplinary, but job roles, KPIs, and HR systems reward predictability and adherence to hierarchical norms. —Ravi Kumar, Time, 25 Aug. 2025

This system, designated UPM J1040−3551 AabBab and located around 82 light-years from Earth, is an extremely rare hierarchical quadruple star system containing a pair of cold brown dwarfs that orbit a pair of young red dwarf stars. —Robert Lea, Space.com, 22 Aug. 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