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hierarchical structure

hierarchical structure

2 5.7
An arrangement of people or things in levels with higher levels controlling lower ones
  • noun
  • /ˌhaɪəˈrɑːkɪkəl ˈstrʌkʧər/
translation icon : estructura jerárquica
  • Formal power is vested in individuals through the hierarchical structure of an organization.
  • hierarchical structure of the data
  • hierarchical structure of society
  • hierarchical structure of an organization

They unfold over time, and they have complex hierarchical structure.

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Examples

  • Social classes have a hierarchical structure in which the resources are controlled by small, influential groups.

    Academic text (2005)
  • Performance-based music programs often have a hierarchical structure among ensembles.

    Academic text (2013)
  • And the idea then is that this hierarchical structure is a way of building complex systems out of simpler parts.

  • His ecological model of development describes four nested or hierarchical structures that influence child development.

    Academic text (1994)
  • Lester noted that small groups with a hierarchical structure are often more productive, but their members are less satisfied.

    Academic text (1993)
  • Traditionally, healthcare organizations have operated within vertical, hierarchical structures; such organizations have difficulty responding quickly to rapidly changing environments.

    Academic text (1996)
  • In this article, the hierarchical structure is considered in a method entitled hierarchical linear modeling (HLM).

    Academic text (2002)
  • Our self-determination outcome data had a hierarchical structure (i.e., students nested within schools).

    Academic text (2012)
  • Moreover, the hierarchical structure of law firms discourages the airing of grievances, thereby stoking internal fires.

    Academic text (1998)
  • In many companies, a hierarchical structure helps define the roles and responsibilities of each employee.

Synonyms

structure
vshierarchical structure
790 3.5

How parts are arranged in a system like a society or text

is specifically an ordered level system with clear subordination between parts
tree
vshierarchical structure
244 6.0

A branching drawing that shows how things are connected, like a family tree

is a level-based arrangement emphasizing subordination rather than only shape
hierarchy
vshierarchical structure
98 5.8

A system that puts people and things in order by rank or power

is about level arrangements across data and organizations not only social rank
hierarchical classification system
vshierarchical structure
  • Specialized
6.7

A way to arrange things in levels from broad to specific

is broader and applies to level arrangements beyond sorting entries
data hierarchy
vshierarchical structure
  • Specialized
4.7

An arrangement of data in levels where groups contain smaller groups, like folders and files

is a broader level-based system that also applies to organizations

How Hierarchical

hierarchical structure
2 5.7
tiered
6 4.2
layered
1 3.5

Surface Forms

Morphology

hierarchical + structure

The meaning 'a system organized in levels' is directly and transparently derived from combining 'hierarchical' (structured in levels) with 'structure' (an organization or arrangement). This adjective+noun composition follows a standard, cross-linguistically common pattern, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents should be able to infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Hierarchical structure comes from the simple image of a tree or ladder with different 'levels', where the top level stands above the lower ones and each part is under the one above. Hierarchical means many 'levels' and structure means parts in a system, so that's why the phrase means a system arranged in ranked layers.