stratification

C2 Topic:Abstract Ideas

US /ˌstrætəfɪˈkeɪʃən/ UK /ˌstrætɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/ See IPA manual

Freq #119054

Meanings

1

noun
the formation, arrangement, or classification of something into distinct layers

The cliff reveals the stratification of sediments deposited over millions of years.
2

noun
the division of a society into ranked social classes or groups

The study examines how wealth reinforces social stratification.
3

noun
the separation of water, air, or another fluid into layers of different temperature, density, or composition

Summer heating causes strong thermal stratification in the lake.
4

noun
the treatment of seeds under moist, usually cold conditions to break dormancy and encourage germination

The hawthorn seeds require several months of cold stratification before planting.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · the formation, arrangement,... layeringlamination

2 noun · the division of a society... social hierarchyclass division

3 noun · the separation of water,... layering

4 noun · the treatment of seeds... cold treatment

More classification

Opposites

destratificationhomogenization

Word family

Derived forms biostratificationcross-stratificationdestratificationinterstratificationmicrostratificationpoststratification

Related forms stratum stratify layer

Appears in

Phrases (1)

See all

social stratification
the division of society into ranked groups or classes

Adjective + noun

Etymology

Formed from stratum (Latin for a spread-out layer or covering) + -ification ("the process of making"). Its scientific and social senses share the idea of organizing material or people into distinguishable levels.

Topics

Abstract Ideas Word Formation & Derivatives

External links

# stratification

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2
**Part of speech:** noun
**IPA (US):** /ˌstrætəfɪˈkeɪʃən/
**IPA (UK):** /ˌstrætɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/
**Frequency rank:** 119054

## Meanings
1. the formation, arrangement, or classification of something into distinct layers
2. the division of a society into ranked social classes or groups
3. the separation of water, air, or another fluid into layers of different temperature, density, or composition
4. the treatment of seeds under moist, usually cold conditions to break dormancy and encourage germination

## Examples
- The cliff reveals the stratification of sediments deposited over millions of years.
- The study examines how wealth reinforces social stratification.
- Summer heating causes strong thermal stratification in the lake.
- The hawthorn seeds require several months of cold stratification before planting.

## Synonyms
- layering
- lamination
- classification
- social hierarchy

## Antonyms
- destratification
- homogenization

## Derived Forms
- biostratification
- cross-stratification
- destratification
- interstratification
- microstratification
- poststratification

## Related Forms
- stratum
- stratify
- layer

## Etymology
Formed from stratum (Latin for a spread-out layer or covering) + -ification ("the process of making"). Its scientific and social senses share the idea of organizing material or people into distinguishable levels.

## Topics
- Abstract Ideas
- Word Formation & Derivatives

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