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.
Most wildland firefighting crews work in strict hierarchical command structures. — M. R. O’Connor, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026 Going from producing my own shows all the time and being all on the same page and level to switching to TV, which is so hierarchical. — Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2026 Civilizationism is thus best defined as a hierarchical and antiuniversalist grand strategy that views regional imperialism as the most legitimate and most promising way to order the world. — Leonard A. Schuette, Foreign Affairs, 25 Aug. 2026 This individual has hierarchical power and acts as a sponsor of the idea or project. — IEEE Spectrum, 17 Aug. 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 1 Sep. 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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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