pecking orders

variants also peck orders
Definition of pecking ordersnext
plural of pecking order
as in rankings
the way in which people or things in a group or organization are placed in a series of levels with different importance or status As an assistant manager, he was pretty low in the company's pecking order.

Related Words

Relevance

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of pecking orders From playoff pecking orders to division title tiebreakers to how the NFC South can be won (or lost) in only two games instead of four, Fowler and Kaye break it all down for the Carolina faithful. Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 10 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pecking orders
Noun
  • Texas dominated many national rankings in the report as well, with the ZIP code encompassing the Dallas suburb of Crandall ranking second on the list and a more urban Dallas ZIP code ranking 10th.
    Faith Bugenhagen, Austin American Statesman, 28 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Throughout the nine tracks, which range from haunting to playful and toy with auto-tune, Malone examines relationship hierarchies and expectations.
    Ilana Kaplan, PEOPLE, 11 May 2026
  • Playfulness disrupts these rigid hierarchies.
    Julie Kratz, Forbes.com, 10 May 2026
Noun
  • Fast food chains have struggled against rising operational costs and increasingly cost-conscious customers.
    Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
  • The drinks are also more profitable for fast food chains than the standard soda fountain drinks or plain coffees.
    ABC News, ABC News, 28 Apr. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pecking orders.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pecking%20orders. Accessed 14 May. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster