tier

¹ American  

[teer] / tɪər /

noun

1. one of a series of rows or ranks rising one behind or above another, as of seats in an amphitheater, boxes in a theater, guns in a man-of-war, or oars in an ancient galley.

2. one of a number of galleries, as in a theater.

3. a layer; level; stratum.

   The wedding cake had six tiers.

   All three tiers of the firm's management now report to one director.

4. Australian.  a mountain range.

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verb (used with object)

1. to arrange in tiers.

verb (used without object)

1. to rise in tiers.

tier ² American  

[tahy-er] / ˈtaɪ ər /

noun

1. a person or thing that ties.

2. Nautical.  a short rope or band for securing a furled sail.

3. New England.  a child's apron or pinafore.

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tier ¹ British  

/ tɪə /

noun

1. one of a set of rows placed one above and behind the other, such as theatre seats

2. 1. a layer or level

   2. ( in combination )

      a three-tier cake

3. a rank, order, or row

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verb

1. to be or arrange in tiers

tier ² British  

/ ˈtaɪə /

noun

1. a person or thing that ties

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Etymology

Origin of tier¹

First recorded in 1560–70; earlier also tire, tyre, teare, from Middle French, Old French tire, tiere “order, row, rank,” from Germanic; compare Old English, Old Saxon tīr, Old High German zēri “glory, adornment”

Origin of tier²

First recorded in 1625–35; tie + -er ¹

Example Sentences

The now 18-team Big Ten added Maryland and Rutgers in 2014 so their Big Ten Network would run on the basic cable tier in large media markets Washington and New York.

From The Wall Street Journal

But in California, Porter has pressed on and remains in the top tier of the crowded gubernatorial field.

From Los Angeles Times

"No tier four was readily available and the high demand for such beds is a national issue," said James Marsland, prosecuting.

From BBC

Mr. Hunter is unquestionably among the first tier of American playwrights, and his crystalline works are bountiful gifts to actors, in this case particularly the superlative Paul Sparks.

From The Wall Street Journal

Putting Univision on a higher-priced tier also would have cut into subscriber revenues, as the fees the networks received are based on the number of customers paying for the higher-priced tier.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• category
• layer
• row