tier

1 of 3

noun (1)

1
a
: a row, rank, or layer of articles
especially : one of two or more rows, levels, or ranks arranged one above another
b
: a group of political or geographic divisions that form a row across the map
the southern tier of states
2

tier

2 of 3

verb

tiered; tiering; tiers

transitive verb

: to place or arrange in tiers

intransitive verb

: to rise in tiers

tier

3 of 3

noun (2)

ti·​er ˈtī(-ə)r How to pronounce tier (audio)
variants or tyer
: one that ties

Examples of tier in a Sentence

Noun (1) the bottom tier of entrants
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The ad tier is launched, and growing slowly, but already bringing in higher average revenue per user than Netflix’s traditional ad-free offerings. David Bloom, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025 These tiers start at $20 per month (ChatGPT Plus) and scale up to $200 per month (ChatGPT Pro). PC Magazine, 19 June 2025
Verb
Spikes are consistently seen, particularly in the English Football League (EFL, tiers two to four in the men’s footballing pyramid), as supporters seek a football fix over the holiday period. Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 18 June 2025 While not a part of this bundle, Vow of Absolution expands the game to tier 5 by adding the Adeptus Astartes of the Absolvers chapter as playable character options. Rob Wieland, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for tier

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle French tire rank, from Old French — more at attire

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1569, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

circa 1889, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Noun (2)

1633, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tier was in 1569

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tier.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tier. Accessed 27 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

tier

1 of 3 noun
: a row, rank, or layer usually arranged in a series one above the other
tiered
ˈti(ə)rd
adjective

tier

2 of 3 verb
1
: to place or arrange in tiers
2
: to rise in tiers

tier

3 of 3 noun
ti·​er
variants or tyer
ˈtī(-ə)r
: a person or thing that ties

More from Merriam-Webster on tier

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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