pecking order

noun
UK: /ˈpekɪŋ ˌɔːdə(r)/
US: /ˈpekɪŋ ˌɔːrdər/

  1. A system where some people have more power or status than others.

    1. There's a clear pecking order in the office.
    2. She quickly climbed the pecking order in the company, becoming a manager in just a few years.

  2. A hierarchy within a group, often based on dominance or social standing.

    1. Animals often have a pecking order in their groups.
    2. New employees have to learn the pecking order, or they might upset someone important.

Synonyms

hierarchy ranking ladder social order

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "pecking order" in English means: A system where some people have more power or status than others., A hierarchy within a group, often based on dominance or social standing..

The phonetic transcription of "pecking order" is /ˈpekɪŋ ˌɔːdə(r)/ in British English and /ˈpekɪŋ ˌɔːrdər/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "pecking order": hierarchy, ranking, ladder, social order.

Example usage of "pecking order": "There's a clear pecking order in the office.". More examples on the page.