/ˈhaɪərɑːrki/
hier·archy AW
BrE /ˈhaɪərɑːki/
NAmE /ˈhaɪərɑːrki/
(
plural
hier·archies)
[C, U]
a system, especially in a society or an organization, in which people are organized into different levels of importance from highest to lowest
the social/political hierarchy
She’s quite high up in the management hierarchy.
[C + sing./pl. v.]
the group of people in control of a large organization or institution
[C] (formal)
a system that ideas or beliefs can be arranged into
a hierarchy of needs