stratified
adjective
strat·i·fied
ˈstra-tə-ˌfīd 
1
: formed, deposited, or arranged in stable layers or strata
Such forced ascent of stable air leads to the formation of a stratified cloud layer that is large horizontally compared to its thickness.—
Frederick K. Lutgens et al.
Frederick K. Lutgens et al.The epidermis is a stratified squamous epithelium forming the barrier that excludes harmful microbes and retains body fluids.—Terry Lechler et al.
Terry Lechler et al.2
: divided into social classes
Through farming and fishing, they supported a dense population and highly stratified society that constructed irrigation canals, pyramids, palaces, and temples.—Christopher B. Donnan
Christopher B. DonnanExamples of stratified in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
For an institution that is supposed to represent every corner of the state, the Illinois General Assembly can often be a stratified place where insiders thrive, outsiders feel unwelcome and change is slow.
—Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2026
The expert said that three features proved the footprints were ancient, rather than modern: the semi-fossilized nature of the clay, the fact that the clay had not been previously exposed and the way the prints cut into the stratified sediment layers.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 8 Mar. 2026
The Antarctic Ocean is stratified to a depth of around 3,280 feet due to colder, denser water below not readily mixing with freshwater from melting ice above.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 19 Feb. 2026
The Antarctic Ocean is heavily layered, or stratified, to a depth of around 3,280 feet because of conflicting properties including colder, denser water from below not readily mixing with fresh water running off melting ice from above.
—CBS News, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stratified
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Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2026
The expert said that three features proved the footprints were ancient, rather than modern: the semi-fossilized nature of the clay, the fact that the clay had not been previously exposed and the way the prints cut into the stratified sediment layers.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 8 Mar. 2026
The Antarctic Ocean is stratified to a depth of around 3,280 feet due to colder, denser water below not readily mixing with freshwater from melting ice above.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 19 Feb. 2026
The Antarctic Ocean is heavily layered, or stratified, to a depth of around 3,280 feet because of conflicting properties including colder, denser water from below not readily mixing with fresh water running off melting ice from above.
—CBS News, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stratified
Cite this Entry
“Stratified.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stratified. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
stratified
adjective
strat·i·fied
ˈstrat-ə-ˌfīd
: arranged in layers
especially
: of, relating to, or being an epithelium consisting of more than one layer of cells
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