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tier

tier

56 3.5
A row or level placed above another, like on a cake
  • noun
  • /tɪr/
: nivel
  • The classic step-pyramid temple consists of two tiers stacked one atop the other, with three converging staircases in front.
  • three tiers
  • two tiers
  • third tier

The first few tiers of of rocks seem pretty easy not too bad.

Examples

  • In the garden, we planted flowers in different tiers to create a cascading effect.

  • What was the point in staying out on the tier walk for just a few extra seconds?

    Fiction book (1996)
  • It's available at a certain tier of support.

  • You cannot train to become a tier one operator.

  • I stood near the top of the lower tier and looked at the thousands of people.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • So, just the bottom tier, then, Madison?

  • The most intensive tier, tier three, provides support to students who are unresponsive to the previous two tiers.

    Academic text (2013)
  • The specimens are held in wooden cabinets, arranged on several floors in tier after vertical tier.

    Academic text (1994)
  • The seats were arranged on steeply pitched tiers, and each desk had its own lamp.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • Smeenk led me up and down the tiers, past tigers, elephants, and narwhals.

    Academic text (1994)

Synonyms

stratum
vstier
  • Specialized
7.6

A level of meaning or thought within an idea

is a broader level used for physical rows and layered arrangements too

Compounds

A system with two different levels, for example basic and premium

A method with two levels that do different things

two-tier bid
  • Specialized
8.1

An offer to buy shares that pays more for control shares and less for others

How High

rank
304 3.2
tier
56 3.5
level
∞ 1.1
stage
987 1.7
step
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

tier singular
tiers plural

Etymology

The word tier comes from an old French word meaning 'row' or 'rank'. Think of a wedding cake or stadium seats stacked one above another — a tier is a 'layer' in that stack.