hierarchy

Thân thiện

Honesty is at the top of her personal hierarchy.

Definition

Noun: 1. A system in which members of an organization or society are ranked according to relative status or authority. This refers to a structured ranking, often visualized as a pyramid, where each level has authority over those below it. 2. A classification of things or concepts according to their relative importance or inclusiveness. This refers to an ordered series or structure where elements are ranked, often from general to specific or from most to least important.

Usage

The word "hierarchy" is used to describe structured systems of order, whether in social organizations, corporate structures, biological classifications, or conceptual frameworks. It is a countable noun (e.g., a hierarchy, multiple hierarchies).

Examples

• In the corporate hierarchy, the CEO is at the top, followed by vice presidents, managers, and then staff.
• The hierarchy of needs proposed by Maslow is a theory in psychology.
• The military operates on a strict chain of command, a clear hierarchy.
• She put honesty first in her hierarchy of values.

Advanced Usage

• Power hierarchy: A system structured by differences in power and influence.
  • The power hierarchy within the political party was shaken by the scandal.
• Social hierarchy: The ranking of individuals and groups in a society.
  • The caste system is a rigid form of social hierarchy.
• To climb/move up the hierarchy: To gain a higher rank or position within an organization.
  • He is ambitious and aims to climb the corporate hierarchy quickly.

Variants and Related Words

• Hierarchical (adjective): Arranged in order of rank.
  • The company has a very hierarchical structure.
• Hierarchically (adverb): In a hierarchical manner.
  • The data is organized hierarchically.

Synonyms

• Pecking order: (Informal) A hierarchy, especially in a social group.
• Ranking: A position in a scale of status or achievement.
• Stratification: The arrangement or classification of something into different groups or layers.
• Chain of command: The order in which authority and power in an organization is wielded and delegated.

Antonyms

• Equality: The state of being equal, especially in status, rights, or opportunities.
• Flat structure: An organizational model with few or no levels of middle management between staff and executives.

Related Phrases and Concepts

• Hierarchy of evidence: In research, a ranking of study types based on the strength of their evidence.
• Dominance hierarchy: In biology, the organization of individuals in a group that maintains a social order.
• To disrupt/challenge the hierarchy: To question or change the established order of authority.
  • The new management style aimed to challenge the traditional hierarchy.

Học thuật

Noun

1. the organization of people at different ranks in an administrative body
2. a series of ordered groupings of people or things within a system
   • put honesty first in her hierarchy of values

Từ đồng nghĩa

• power structure
• pecking order