stratify

verb

strat·​i·​fy ˈstra-tə-ˌfī 

stratified; stratifying

transitive verb

1

: to form, deposit, or arrange in strata

2

a

: to divide or arrange into classes, castes, or social strata

b

: to divide into a series of graded statuses

intransitive verb

: to become arranged in strata

Examples of stratify in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

All attuned to the issues that concern younger generations, who refuse to be stratified by shopworn political shibboleths. — James D. Zirin, Washington Post, 8 Nov. 2026

Deficient calcification sometimes occurs naturally, but biologists suspect vitamin D deficiency when teeth are regularly stratified by layers of hardened and soft dentin. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 5 Nov. 2026

To adjust for noncoverage bias, the voter file was stratified by statehouse district, party, race, gender, marital status, household size, turnout history, age and homeownership. — New York Times, 3 Oct. 2026

So far as Leigh is concerned, class is largely stratified across what compassion alone can accomplish for a person in need. — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 4 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

New Latin stratificare, from stratum + Latin -ificare -ify

First Known Use

1661, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for stratify

• abscissae
• adonai
• alibi
• alkali
• alumni
• amoebae
• amplify
• annuli
• beautify
• brachii
• butterfly
• calculi

Kids Definition

stratify

verb

strat·​i·​fy ˈstrat-ə-ˌfī 

stratified; stratifying

: to form, deposit, or arrange in layers

stratified rock