Pecking order: meaning, definitions and examples

Used primarily in informal or casual contexts to describe the way people or animals are ranked in a group, typically based on power or social standing.

• In the office pecking order, the junior employees always get the toughest assignments.
• The hens have a clear pecking order, with the strongest one always getting first access to food.

A general term used in both formal and informal settings to refer to any system of ranking or organization within a group or society.

• The company has a strict hierarchy, with each level of management responsible for different aspects of the business.
• In medieval times, society was structured in a rigid hierarchy with the king at the top.

Often used in scientific or academic discussions, especially in the context of animal behavior studies, to describe the ranking system within a group based on dominance.

• Wolves establish a dominance hierarchy to maintain social order within the pack.
• The dominance hierarchy among the chimpanzees was studied for years by the researchers.

Commonly used in discussions about society or sociology to indicate the relative standing or status of individuals or groups within a community or organization.

• Social ranking can influence many aspects of a person's life, including their access to resources and opportunities.
• The social ranking at the high school was clearly defined, with the athletes and popular kids at the top.