A hierarchical system or organization is one in which people have different ranks or positions, depending on how important they are. ...the traditional hierarchical system of military organization.
Definition of hierarchical adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.
hierarchical (not comparable) Pertaining to a hierarchy. Of or pertaining to an ecclesiastic or priestly order. Classified or arranged according to various criteria into successive ranks or grades.
• There is an hierarchical structure, but managerial authority is respected as a benign guardian of company interests. • Like the other examples of structural power, the hierarchical structure creates and depends upon a situation of power imbalance.
That pretty much sums up hierarchical, pronounced "high-eh-RAR-ki-cal." In a hierarchical structure, people or groups are arranged according to ability or status.