stratum

noun

stra·​tum ˈstrā-təm How to pronounce stratum (audio) ˈstra- How to pronounce stratum (audio)
plural strata ˈstrā-tə How to pronounce stratum (audio) ˈstra- How to pronounce stratum (audio)
1
: a bed or layer artificially made
2
a
: a sheetlike mass of sedimentary rock or earth of one kind lying between beds of other kinds
b
: a region of the sea or atmosphere that is analogous to a stratum of the earth
c
: a layer of tissue
deep stratum of the skin
d
: a layer in which archaeological material (such as artifacts, skeletons, and dwelling remains) is found on excavation
3
a
: a part of a historical or sociological series representing a period or a stage of development
b
: a socioeconomic level of society comprising persons of the same or similar status especially with regard to education or culture
4
: one of a series of layers, levels, or gradations in an ordered system
strata of thought
5
: a statistical subpopulation
Is strata singular or plural?: Usage Guide

The plural strata has occasionally been used as a singular since the 18th century and is sometimes given the plural stratas.

there was a strata of Paris which mere criticism of books fails to get hold of Ezra Pound
a Roman burial ground suggests stratas of corruption and decay Connie Fletcher, Booklist

Current evidence shows senses 2, 3b, and 4 so used, with sense 3b the most common. Singular strata is persistent but not frequent. Strata may someday establish itself as a singular like agenda, but that use is still not established. We should also point out that there is a derivative culinary term strata, entered separately in this dictionary, which has a singular sense, denoting a layered and baked dish whose ingredients include eggs, bread, and cheese. For the edible strata the logical and usual plural is stratas, but strata is also used as a secondary plural (as in "several ham and cheese strata"), presumably by those for whom stratas looks like an error.

Did you know?

In geology, a stratum is a layer of rock or soil that is distinct from those above and below it. Rock and soil strata (notice the plural form) can be seen in road cuts, cliffs, quarries, riverbanks, and sand dunes, and in pieces of limestone, slate, and shale. Archaeologists digging in historical sites are careful to note the stratum where each artifact is found. Earth scientists divide the earth's atmosphere into strata, just as oceanographers divide the ocean's depths into strata. And for social scientists, a stratum is a group of people who are similar in some way, such as education, culture, or income.

Examples of stratum in a Sentence

the lower strata of society have been hit especially hard by this economic downturn the level of writing in that pop novel is several strata beneath that of serious fiction
Recent Examples on the Web In those remains, the team found high rates of tobacco spanning every stratum of Victorian society. Byandrew Curry, science.org, 4 Oct. 2024 The museum’s former chancellor, George Osborne, reportedly approached Nandy, setting the stage for talks across an institutional stratum in which many don’t see eye to eye on the issue. Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 24 Sep. 2024 And then, again, below this middle stratum, more bare canvas flecked by a few further coloristic footnotes. Barry Schwabsky, ARTnews.com, 17 July 2024 The researchers noted, however, that some animal protein was consumed, as cut marks were observed on the faunal assemblage, a group of animal fossils found together in a stratum, providing evidence of the butchery and processing of animals at that time. Erin Clack, Peoplemag, 19 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for stratum 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'stratum.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin, spread, bed, from neuter of stratus, past participle of sternere to spread out — more at strew

First Known Use

1599, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of stratum was in 1599

Dictionary Entries Near stratum

Cite this Entry

“Stratum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stratum. Accessed 13 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

stratum

noun
stra·​tum ˈstrāt-əm How to pronounce stratum (audio) ˈstrat- How to pronounce stratum (audio)
plural strata -ə How to pronounce stratum (audio)
1
: a layer of a substance
especially : one of a series of layers
a rock stratum
a stratum of earth
the deep stratum of the skin
2
: a level of society consisting of persons of the same or similar rank or position

Medical Definition

stratum

noun
stra·​tum ˈstrāt-əm How to pronounce stratum (audio) ˈstrat- How to pronounce stratum (audio)
plural strata ˈstrāt-ə How to pronounce stratum (audio) ˈstrat- How to pronounce stratum (audio)
1
: a layer of tissue
a deep stratum of the skin
2
: a statistical subpopulation

More from Merriam-Webster on stratum

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