pecking order

noun

variants or less commonly peck order

1

: the basic pattern of social organization within a flock of poultry in which each bird pecks another lower in the scale without fear of retaliation and submits to pecking by one of higher rank

broadly : a dominance hierarchy in a group of social animals

2

: a social hierarchy

Examples of pecking order in a Sentence

As an assistant manager, he was pretty low in the company's pecking order.

the pecking order of Washington politics

Recent Examples on the Web

Even 16-year-old academy talent Toni Fernandez has been ahead of him in the pecking order, making it to the bench for both Supercopa de Espana matches in Saudi Arabia last week. —Pol Ballús, The Athletic, 17 Jan. 2025

Advertisement Huard is likely to step in initially as the third quarterback in USC’s pecking order at the position, with a chance to earn the backup role behind presumptive starter Jayden Maiava. —Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 6 Jan. 2025

In the process, the Broncos’ second-year receiver has risen up Denver’s pecking order and last week in Cincinnati moved past seventh-round rookie Devaughn Vele into second on the team in receiving at 452 yards. —Parker Gabriel, The Denver Post, 3 Jan. 2025

Fagioli has sparkled in moments since returning from his betting ban earlier this year, but under Motta the 23-year-old has slipped down the pecking order, and a sale could be beneficial for all concerned. —Emmet Gates, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1927, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

pecking order

noun

variants also peck order

1

: a basic pattern of social organization within a flock of poultry in which each bird pecks another lower in the scale without being pecked in return and allows pecking by one of higher rank

2

: a social order with ranks or classes

Medical Definition

pecking order

noun

peck·​ing order ˈpek-iŋ-ˌ 

variants also peck order

ˈpek-ˌ 

: the basic pattern of social organization within a flock of poultry in which each bird pecks another lower in the scale without fear of retaliation and submits to pecking by one of higher rank compare cannibalism sense 3, dominance sense a