pecking order

noun

1. Animal Behavior. a dominance hierarchy, seen especially in domestic poultry, that is maintained by one bird pecking another of lower status.
2. a sequence or hierarchy of authority in an organization or social group.

pecking order

noun

1. Also calledpeck order a natural hierarchy in a group of gregarious birds, such as domestic fowl
2. any hierarchical order, as among people in a particular group

pecking order

1. A hierarchy within a social group or community, in which those members at the top assume positions of leadership, authority, and power. The expression originated from a description of social behavior among chickens, which attack each other by pecking to establish dominance.

Word History and Origins

Origin of pecking order¹

First recorded in 1925–30

Idioms and Phrases

The hierarchy of authority in a group, as in On a space mission, the astronauts have a definite pecking order . This expression, invented in the 1920s by biologists who discovered that domestic poultry maintain such a hierarchy with one bird pecking another of lower status, was transferred to human behavior in the 1950s.

Example Sentences

After 15 years sharing the Sports Arena with USC basketball, the NBA franchise spent the last 25 as the third tenant at Crypto.com Arena, behind the Kings and Lakers in the pecking order for preferential dates.

From Los Angeles Times

The Clippers’ offensive pecking order remains clear, which, according to Frank, has made things easier for the team.

From Los Angeles Times

As I noted in a recent newsletter, this is a view that rejects the notion that family is about love, but instead about establishing a pecking order of status and submission.

From Salon

There were many moments when, like Willis in “Interior Chinatown,” he was reminded of his place in the Hollywood pecking order.

From Los Angeles Times

In addition to flying in his free time, Mitchell spent years working his way up the pecking order in the department’s aerial operations.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• food chain
• hierarchy
• power structure
• social structure