tier1

[teer] /tɪər/
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.
Origin
1560-70; earlier also tire, tyre, teare < Middle French, Old French tire, tiere order, row, rank < Germanic; compare Old English, Old Saxon tīr, Old High German zēri glory, adornment

tier2

[tahy-er] /ˈtaɪ ər/
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.
Origin
1625-35; tie + -er1
Examples from the web for tier
  • All new jobs will be entry-level jobs at the second-tier wage.
  • More public universities are striving to squeeze into the top tier.
  • Others worry about the morality of creating a two tier system where the wealthier receive better health care.
  • Certain top tier scientists will do the work of going through the satellite images and data.
  • Coins have been rearranged and spread out on the lower tier.
  • Dig into the hillside a bit at each tier before putting down the stream liners.
  • Pick what makes sense, then monitor your usage closely to see if there's a different tier that saves you money.
  • Students in this tier would receive no funds for books, fees, or remedial courses.
  • The second realization was that there is a second tier for electrical connections.
  • Apple management have some second tier leaders that they have been grooming for decades to be innovative and creative.
British Dictionary definitions for tier

tier1

/tɪə/
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
Word Origin
C16: from Old French tire rank, of Germanic origin; compare Old English tīr embellishment

tier2

/ˈtaɪə/
noun
1.
a person or thing that ties
Word Origin and History for tier
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."