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

hierarchically

ˌhī-(ə-)ˈrär-ki-k(ə-)lē 

 also  hir-ˈär-

adverb

Examples of hierarchical in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This shift in responsibility allows executives to allocate cognitive resources toward strategy rather than supervision, dismantling the hierarchical bottlenecks that often slow progress. —Steven Kawasumi, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025

As with most categories grafted onto a people without their consent, this hierarchical division of the world produced its own reaction. —Zachariah Mampilly, Foreign Affairs, 1 Apr. 2025

Peter & Paul leaders and Zervos with muddying the legal waters to improperly retain control of their parish in defiance of hierarchical authority. —Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 13 Mar. 2025

Breaking Away From Outdated Hierarchies Historically, our healthcare system has operated under a strict hierarchical model, with physicians at the top and other clinicians—including nurse practitioners—playing supportive roles. —Jesse Corn, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see hierarchy

First Known Use

1561, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing hierarchical

• anti-hierarchical

Rhymes for hierarchical

• oligarchical
• anarchical

Kids Definition

hierarchical

adjective

hi·​er·​ar·​chi·​cal ˌhī-(ə-)ˈrär-ki-kəl 

variants or hierarchic

-kik 

: of, relating to, or arranged in a hierarchy

hierarchically

-ˈrär-ki-k(ə-)lē 

adverb