# stratification

/ˌstɹætəfɪˈkeɪʃən/ (US) · /stɹˌætɪfɪkˈeɪʃən/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/stratification
Updated: 2026-05-28

## Definition

the process of dividing something into layers. In nature, this often describes how soil or water is organized, or how people in a society are ranked.

For teachers: the formation of layers or strata in a substance or system. In social sciences, it refers to the hierarchical arrangement of individuals or groups within a society.

## Examples

- The soil shows clear signs of stratification after the rain.
- The lake's thermal stratification prevents the mixing of oxygen-rich surface water with the deeper, colder layers.
- Sociologists argue that economic stratification has increased significantly over the last decade, leading to a more pronounced divide between the wealthy and the working class.

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