tier

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈtir 

1

a

: a row, rank, or layer of articles

especially : one of two or more rows, levels, or ranks arranged one above another

b

: a group of political or geographic divisions that form a row across the map

the southern tier of states

2

: class, category

tier

2 of 3

verb

tiered; tiering; tiers

transitive verb

: to place or arrange in tiers

intransitive verb

: to rise in tiers

tier

3 of 3

noun (2)

ti·​er ˈtī(-ə)r 

variants or tyer

: one that ties

Synonyms

Noun (1)

• bracket
• category
• class
• classification
• division
• family
• genus
• grade
• group
• kind
• league
• order
• rank(s)
• rubric
• set
• species
• type

Examples of tier in a Sentence

Noun (1)

the bottom tier of entrants

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Michel and his team continue to use these cellars to store their top tier wines, of which Grand Sendrée is one of our favorites. —Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 28 Dec. 2024

The year’s best TV shows This year’s top tier programming did not share some sweeping cultural throughline, according to Times television critic Robert Lloyd, who grouped his picks by themes. —Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 27 Dec. 2024

Verb

The resort's focal point is its central infinity pool, which tiers down three levels before spilling out to a spectacular beach — one of the best in the Bay of Banderas. —Meagan Drillinger, Travel + Leisure, 11 May 2024

Everyone from senior security leadership to tier one security analysts needs to understand their hybrid, multicloud environment. —Forbes, 1 July 2022

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle French tire rank, from Old French — more at attire

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1569, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

circa 1889, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Noun (2)

1633, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing tier

• top-tier

Kids Definition

tier

1 of 3 noun

ˈti(ə)r 

: a row, rank, or layer usually arranged in a series one above the other

tiered

ˈti(ə)rd

adjective

tier

2 of 3 verb

1

: to place or arrange in tiers

2

: to rise in tiers

tier

3 of 3 noun

ti·​er

variants or tyer

ˈtī(-ə)r

: a person or thing that ties