WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026
hi•er•arch
(hī′ə rärk′, hī′rärk),USA pronunciation n.
hi′er•ar′chal, adj.
- Religiona person who rules or has authority in sacred matters;
high priest. - a person having high position or considerable authority.
- Ancient Historyone of a body of officials or minor priests in certain ancient Greek temples.
- Greek hierárchēs steward of sacred rites, equivalent. to hier- hier- + -archēs -arch
- Medieval Latin hierarcha
- 1480–90