1. 等级制度
    A hierarchy is a system of organizing people into different ranks or levels of importance, for example in society or in a company.

    e.g. Like most other American companies with a rigid hierarchy, workers and managers had strictly defined duties...
           和其他多数拥有严格等级制度的美国公司一样，这里的工人和管理人员都有界定严格的职责。
    e.g. She rose up the Tory hierarchy by the local government route...
           她通过地方政府的渠道在保守党的等级制度中一步步地晋升。

2. （组织中的）掌权集团，统治集团
    The hierarchy of an organization such as the Church is the group of people who manage and control it.

hierarchy是什么意思

3. （思想、信仰的）等级体系，分级结构
    A hierarchy of ideas and beliefs involves organizing them into a system or structure.

    e.g. ...the notion of 'cultural imperialism' implies a hierarchy of cultures, some of which are stronger than others.
           “文化扩张主义”意味着一种文化等级体系的存在，其中有些文化要比其他文化更强大。