tier

noun

1. one of a series of rows or ranks rising one behind or above another, as of seats in an amphitheater, boxes in a theater, guns in a man-of-war, or oars in an ancient galley.
2. one of a number of galleries, as in a theater.
3. a layer; level; stratum: The wedding cake had six tiers. All three tiers of the firm’s management now report to one director.
4. Australian. a mountain range.

verb (used with object)

5. to arrange in tiers.

verb (used without object)

6. to rise in tiers.

noun

1. a person or thing that ties.
2. Nautical. a short rope or band for securing a furled sail.
3. New England. a child’s apron or pinafore.

noun

1. one of a set of rows placed one above and behind the other, such as theatre seats
2. 1. a layer or level
   2. (in combination)a three-tier cake
3. a rank, order, or row

verb

4. to be or arrange in tiers

noun

1. a person or thing that ties

n.“row, rank, range,” 1560s, from Middle French tire, from Old French tire “rank, sequence, order” (early 13c.), probably from tirer “to draw, draw out” (see tirade). Some suggests the French noun is from a Germanic source akin to Old High German ziari, German Zier “adornment,” Old English tir “glory, honor.”