What does stratification mean?
Stratification is the process or condition of arranging something into layers, levels, or ranked groups. In geology, it describes the formation of sedimentary layers and the way different kinds of rock are deposited in successive strata. In sociology, social stratification refers to the division of society into classes or groups that occupy different positions in a hierarchy, commonly according to wealth, occupation, education, power, or status. The term can describe an established system, such as caste or class structure, as well as less formal distinctions among professional, economic, or social groups. Stratification is useful because it makes hierarchy and difference visible: it shows not only that groups occupy different positions, but also that access to resources, opportunities, and influence may be distributed unevenly. The word can sound analytical in scholarly contexts and critical when used to describe inequality.
nounThe arrangement of something in distinct layers, levels, or classes. In social science, it refers to the hierarchical division of a society into groups ranked by factors such as wealth, power, education, or occupation.
- The arrangement of material in distinct layers or strata.
- The classification or ranking of a population into social or occupational groups.
"The study examined the social stratification of the city's population."
"Core samples reveal the stratification of the lakebed over thousands of years."
"Social stratification can shape access to education, income, and political influence."
The plural is possible but relatively uncommon. In general usage, stratification is often treated as an uncountable noun, especially when referring to a process or a general social condition.
"The study identified several distinct stratifications within the sedimentary basin."
Stratification shows how societies can resemble geological layers: groups are ranked in a hierarchy that is not always visible from the surface.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does stratification come from?
Stratification was formed in English from Latin stratum, meaning a layer, with the suffix -ification, indicating the formation or process of making something structured. Latin stratum itself derives from sternere, “to lay down or spread,” reflecting the original sense of a layer spread out beneath something. The related English word substratum refers to a layer lying beneath another surface or material, while stratiform describes something arranged in layers.
Related word forms
How stratification is actually used
The term is formal and especially common in geology and the social sciences. In everyday use, it often has a negative or critical connotation when referring to social inequality, although it can describe any ranked system of groups.