n. A horizontal layer of material, especially one of several parallel layers arranged one on top of another.n. Geology A bed or layer of sedimentary rock having approximately the same composition throughout.n. Any of the regions of the atmosphere, such as the troposphere, that occur as layers.n. Biology A layer of tissue: the epithelial stratum. n. A level of society composed of people with similar social, cultural, or economic status.n. One of a number of layers, levels, or divisions in an organized system: a complex poem with many strata of meaning.