hierarchical

American  

[hahy-uh-rahr-ki-kuhl, hahy-rahr-] / ˌhaɪ əˈrɑr kɪ kəl, haɪˈrɑr- /

Also hierarchic

adjective

1. of, belonging to, or characteristic of a hierarchy.

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Other Word Forms

• antihierarchic adjective
• antihierarchical adjective
• antihierarchically adverb
• hierarchically adverb
• nonhierarchic adjective
• nonhierarchical adjective
• nonhierarchically adverb

Etymology

Origin of hierarchical

1425–75; late Middle English. See hierarch, -ical

Example Sentences

The very arrangement of seating at the Roman Games expressed the hierarchical nature of Roman society.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

To Trump, who has rigidly hierarchical notions of gender, that probably seems emasculating.

From Salon • Mar. 6, 2026

"The hierarchical structure of the military places power with rank, especially in a training facility," he said.

From BBC • Jan. 23, 2026

As is the case in all hierarchical organizations, the problem starts at the top.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 18, 2025

Scholars deduced that the Sungir mammoth-hunters lived in a hierarchical society, and that the dead man was perhaps the leader of a band or of an entire tribe comprising several bands.

From "Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind" by Yuval Noah Harari