hierarchical

adjective

hi·​er·​ar·​chi·​cal ˌhī-(ə-)ˈrär-ki-kəl How to pronounce hierarchical (audio)
also hir-ˈär-
variants or hierarchic
ˌhī-(ə-)ˈrär-kik How to pronounce hierarchical (audio)
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 How to pronounce hierarchical (audio)
also hir-ˈär-
adverb

Examples of hierarchical in a Sentence

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.
Find the truth The hardest part of leading transformation in a hierarchical organization is getting honest feedback. — Ryoji Sekido, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2026 As was often said of New York neighborhoods with a strong Mafia presence, tightly run hierarchical mobs like to control the streets, and have little use for violent freelancers. — Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026 To fix this, researchers used Bayesian hierarchical distance sampling. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026 The hierarchical companies moved faster but struggled more with managerial issues over workplace policies when many of their employees felt their concerns were not heard. — Sebastian Fixson, The Conversation, 21 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hierarchical

Word History

Etymology

see hierarchy

First Known Use

1561, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hierarchical was in 1561

Phrases Containing hierarchical

Rhymes for hierarchical

See All Rhymes for hierarchical

Browse Nearby Words

hierarchal
hierarchical
hierarchism
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hierarchical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hierarchical. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

hierarchical

adjective
hi·​er·​ar·​chi·​cal ˌhī-(ə-)ˈrär-ki-kəl How to pronounce hierarchical (audio)
variants or hierarchic
-kik How to pronounce hierarchical (audio)
: of, relating to, or arranged in a hierarchy
hierarchically
-ˈrär-ki-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce hierarchical (audio)
adverb
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