Meaning of tier in English

Table of contents
  1. Pronunciation
  2. Noun
    1. Etymology
    2. Definitions

  1. Pronunciation

    /ˈtɪr/

    US accent Play button

    UK accent Play button

  1. Noun

    tier

    Etymology

    late 15th century: from French tire‘sequence, order’, from tirer‘elongate, draw’

    Definitions

    1. a relative position or degree of value in a graded group

    Examples

    • « lumber of the highest grade »

    Derived terms

  2. 2. any one of two or more competitors who tie one another

    Derived terms

  3. 3. a worker who ties something

    Derived terms

  4. 4. something that is used for tying

    Examples

    • « the sail is fastened to the yard with tiers »

    Derived terms

  5. 5. one of two or more layers one atop another

    Examples

    • « tier upon tier of huge casks »
    • « a three-tier wedding cake »

Famous quotes

  • « We created a line of pet food called Nutrish that's made to human standards, and 100 percent of the proceeds go to animal rescue. One of our top-tier donors is the ASPCA, and they help us challenge animal shelters all across the country to get more animals placed in homes. »
    Rachael Ray
  • « I don't want to be famous famous. I'm happy on the second tier, where I have autonomy on a professional level but I can still go out to the movies without being recognized. »
    Gabrielle Reece
  • « My Dad hated his job. He sold overcoats, but he wanted to make movies. He had a failed career working with the Ritz Brothers - they were like the Marx Brothers, only a tier below. I always had a picture in my mind of him in a straw hat. »
    Steve Sabol

Browse dictionary