Definition of 'tier'

Word Frequency

tier

(tɪəʳ )

Word forms: plural tiers

1. countable noun

A tier is a row or layer of something that has other layers above or below it.

...the auditorium with the tiers of seats around and above it. [+ of]

Synonyms: row, bank, layer, line More Synonyms of tier

Tier is also a combining form.

...a three-tier wedding cake.

2. countable noun

A tier is a level in an organization or system.

Islanders have campaigned for the abolition of one of the three tiers of municipal power. [+ of]

Tier is also a combining form.

...the possibility of a two-tier system of universities.

Video: pronunciation of
tier

tier in British English 1

(tɪə )

noun

one of a set of rows placed one above and behind the other, such as theatre seats

a layer or level

(in combination)

a three-tier cake

a rank, order, or row

verb

to be or arrange in tiers

Word origin

C16: from Old French tire rank, of Germanic origin; compare Old English tīr embellishment

Word Frequency

tier in British English 2

(ˈtaɪə )

noun

a person or thing that ties

Word Frequency

tier in American English 1

(tɪr )

noun

a row, or rank, of seats

any of a series of rows, layers, ranks, etc. arranged one above or behind another

verb transitive, verb intransitive

to arrange or be arranged in tiers

Word origin

< OFr tire, order, rank, dress < Frank *teri (akin to OHG ziari, beauty, OE tir, glory) < IE *dēiro- < base *dei-, to gleam > deity

Word Frequency

tier in American English 2

(ˈtaɪər )

noun

a person or thing that ties

2. US

a type of pinafore formerly worn by children

Word Frequency

tier in American English 1

(tɪər)

noun

one of a series of rows or ranks rising one behind or above another, as of seats in an amphitheater, boxes in a theater, guns in a man-of-war, or oars in an ancient galley

one of a number of galleries, as in a theater

a layer; level; stratum

The wedding cake had six tiers

All three tiers of the firm's management now report to one director

4. Austral

a mountain range

transitive verb

to arrange in tiers

intransitive verb

to rise in tiers

Word origin

[1560–70; earlier also tire, tyre, teare ‹ MF, OF tire, tiere order, row, rank ‹ Gmc; cf. OE, OS tīr, OHG zēri glory, adornment]

Word Frequency

tier in American English 2

(ˈtaiər)

noun

a person or thing that ties

2. Nautical

a short rope or band for securing a furled sail

3. New England

a child's apron or pinafore

Word origin

[1625–35; tie + -er1]

Examples of 'tier' in a sentence
tier

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Those who fail to reach the second tier within six months will be removed from the scheme.Who owns clubs in the top two tiers?Only the lower tiers of the four stands are open.Their scores had improved and they remained comfortably in the second tier of countries.Eight teams will play in the top league and 10 will contest the lower tier.He has replaced the entire top management tier, although some of the appointments have come from within.It is the second or third tier which is causing a lot of stress, the club matches.Stead has played in all four top tiers in English football but has no plans to hang up his boots anytime soon.The garden has three tiers, and there's a bedsit above the garage.A new third tier of charges will be 0.55 per cent on anything in excess of 250 million.