hier ‧ ar ‧ chy AC /ˈhaɪrɑːki $ -ɑːr-/ BrE AmE noun ( plural hierarchies )
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ hierarchy ; adverb : ↑ hierarchically ; adjective : ↑ hierarchical ]
[ Date: 1300-1400 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: ierarchie , from Latin , from Greek hierarches , from hieros 'holy' + -arches 'ruler' (from archein 'to rule' ) ]
1 . [uncountable and countable] a system of organization in which people or things are divided into levels of importance:
a rigid social hierarchy
She worked her way up through the corporate hierarchy to become president.
2 . [countable] the most important and powerful members of an organization:
the church hierarchy