hierarchical
adjective
hi·er·ar·chi·cal
ˌhī-(ə-)ˈrär-ki-kəl 
also hir-ˈär-
variants
or hierarchic
ˌhī-(ə-)ˈrär-kik
also hir-ˈär-
: of, relating to, or arranged in a hierarchy
a hierarchical society
a hierarchical order in the church
Examples of hierarchical in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
And in high-stakes or hierarchical environments, that space must be built with intention.
—
Ann Kowal Smith, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
Torture to order Entering the disturbing world of these networks exposes an entire subculture with its own terminology and hierarchical structure.
—Rebecca Wright, CNN Money, 30 May 2025
Eastern chimpanzees tend to be more aggressive, live in bigger groups and have more hierarchical societies than the more egalitarian western chimpanzees.
—Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 May 2025
At the last conclave in 2013, the order of the procession began with the cross, choir, prelates and the secretary of the conclave, before the cardinals entered two by two in the reverse order of their hierarchical precedence (deacons, priests, then bishops).
—Nbc News, NBC news, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for hierarchical
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Ann Kowal Smith, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
Torture to order Entering the disturbing world of these networks exposes an entire subculture with its own terminology and hierarchical structure.
—Rebecca Wright, CNN Money, 30 May 2025
Eastern chimpanzees tend to be more aggressive, live in bigger groups and have more hierarchical societies than the more egalitarian western chimpanzees.
—Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 May 2025
At the last conclave in 2013, the order of the procession began with the cross, choir, prelates and the secretary of the conclave, before the cardinals entered two by two in the reverse order of their hierarchical precedence (deacons, priests, then bishops).
—Nbc News, NBC news, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for hierarchical
Cite this Entry
“Hierarchical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hierarchical. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
hierarchical
adjective
hi·er·ar·chi·cal
ˌhī-(ə-)ˈrär-ki-kəl
variants
or hierarchic
: of, relating to, or arranged in a hierarchy
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