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.

The epidermis is a stratified squamous epithelium forming the barrier that excludes harmful microbes and retains body fluids.

—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

Examples of stratified in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The law becomes stratified, with one version for VIPs and another for those relying on incomplete access. —Andrew Leahey, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025

And so that was kind of a very important insight, a very important thing to do in this proof to understand how to approach the world in this stratified way. —Quanta Magazine, 26 June 2025

And stratified textures easily allow for more inputs. —Angelica Frey, JSTOR Daily, 23 Feb. 2025

Second, the earlier excavation revealed the site to be deeply stratified — in other words, many layers of soil held a variety of clues about how the area was lived in over time. —Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 26 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1776, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing stratified

• stratified charge engine

Rhymes for stratified

• actinide
• aldehyde
• alkoxide
• alongside
• amplified
• arsenide
• beautified
• biocide
• butoxide
• calcified
• ceramide
• certified

Medical 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