stratification

noun

strat·​i·​fi·​ca·​tion ˌstra-tə-fə-ˈkā-shən 

1

a

: the act or process of stratifying

b

: the state of being stratified

2

: a stratified formation

Did you know?

If you look for it, you'll find stratification almost everywhere. On a tall rain-forest tree, there may be different air plants clinging to it, different insects crawling on it, and different mammals making their homes at different levels. The earth beneath you may be stratified into several distinctive layers within the first 20 feet. If the wind you're feeling is moving at 10 miles per hour, at 30 feet above your head it may be 20 mph, and in the jet stream above that it may be 150 mph. If you climb a high mountain in Himalayas, you may begin in a lush, wet forest and end up in a windswept environment where not even lichen will grow.

Examples of stratification in a Sentence

the stratification of the Earth's crust

Recent Examples on the Web

Olfactory stratification is a fragrance technique at the heart of Massimiliano Torti's philosophy. —Angelina Villa-Clarke, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025

Her success broke barriers that have existed in country for years, barriers still fueled by specialized radio stations, record company marketing strategies, and the stratification of the Billboard charts. —EW.com, 13 Aug. 2025

At this point, circulation continues only in the warmer layer, and stratification takes place. —Anthony A. Ciuffa, Outdoor Life, 7 Aug. 2025

Class stratification became marked by elevation: standing on a carriage. —Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 23 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1617, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for stratification

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration

Kids Definition

stratification

noun

strat·​i·​fi·​ca·​tion ˌstrat-ə-fə-ˈkā-shən 

1

: the act or process of arranging or becoming arranged in layers or strata

2

: the state of being arranged in layers or strata

Medical Definition

stratification

noun

strat·​i·​fi·​ca·​tion ˌstrat-ə-fə-ˈkā-shən 

: arrangement or formation in layers or strata

stratification of epithelial cells