stratum

noun

stra·tum | \ ˈstrā-təm

, ˈstra-

plural strata\ ˈstrā-tə

, ˈstra- \

Definition of stratum

1 : a bed or layer artificially made

2a : a sheetlike mass of sedimentary rock or earth of one kind lying between beds of other kinds

b : a region of the sea or atmosphere that is analogous to a stratum of the earth

c : a layer of tissue deep stratum of the skin

d : a layer in which archaeological material (such as artifacts, skeletons, and dwelling remains) is found on excavation

3a : a part of a historical or sociological series representing a period or a stage of development

b : a socioeconomic level of society comprising persons of the same or similar status especially with regard to education or culture

4 : one of a series of layers, levels, or gradations in an ordered system strata of thought

5 : a statistical subpopulation

Synonyms Is strata singular or plural?: Usage Guide Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about stratum

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Is strata singular or plural?: Usage Guide

The plural strata has occasionally been used as a singular since the 18th century and is sometimes given the plural stratas. there was a strata of Paris which mere criticism of books fails to get hold of — Ezra Pound a Roman burial ground suggests stratas of corruption and decay — Connie Fletcher, Booklist Current evidence shows senses 2, 3b, and 4 so used, with sense 3b the most common. Singular strata is persistent but not frequent. Strata may someday establish itself as a singular like agenda, but that use is still not established.

Did You Know?

In geology, a stratum is a layer of rock or soil that is distinct from those above and below it. Rock and soil strata (notice the plural form) can be seen in road cuts, cliffs, quarries, riverbanks, and sand dunes, and in pieces of limestone, slate, and shale. Archaeologists digging in historical sites are careful to note the stratum where each artifact is found. Earth scientists divide the earth's atmosphere into strata, just as oceanographers divide the ocean's depths into strata. And for social scientists, a stratum is a group of people who are similar in some way, such as education, culture, or income.

Examples of stratum in a Sentence

the lower strata of society have been hit especially hard by this economic downturn the level of writing in that pop novel is several strata beneath that of serious fiction

Recent Examples on the Web

That stratum includes business owners paying their workers more. — Michael Hiltzik, latimes.com, "A strong endorsement of the $15 minimum wage from the Congressional Budget Office," 9 July 2019 But at the mission’s heart lay a key scientific objective, since the river cuts through the most extensive array of geological strata on the planet, dating back two billion years. — Gerard Helferich, WSJ, "Book Review: The Perils of a Pathfinder," 19 July 2018 That number was based on detailed studies of peak flows down the Colorado through history, both the 100 years of recorded history by man and the eons of geologic history recorded in the strata of the canyon walls. — John D'anna, azcentral, "For a while in 1983, sheets of plywood were all that kept the mighty Glen Canyon Dam from overflowing," 18 July 2019 Little trees provide different scale and texture, provide understory that's part of the garden's strata, and many provide flowers and varying fall color. — Howard Garrett, Dallas News, "Not big on big trees? These little ones grow well in sun and shade," 9 July 2019 Within the walls of this edifice, fountains of data lie waiting to be discovered by citizens representing all strata of life. — Hillary Davis, latimes.com, "Newport Beach Central Library turns the page on its first 25 years," 6 July 2019 And so stratigraphy — the study of layers (strata) of rock in relation to each other — was born. — Gemma Tarlach, Discover Magazine, "Chronostratigraphy: How Scientists Unlock Deep Time," 30 June 2019 Instead, researchers have tried to probe the past by looking at sedimentary proxies: iron, carbon or sulfur compounds in geological strata with properties that can be measured and put into models to infer ancient oxygen levels. — Quanta Magazine, "Rapid Oxygen Changes Fueled an Explosion in Ancient Animal Diversity," 9 May 2019 Hike through fields of dwarf pines to the shores of Lake Nassbodensee, crossing over alternating strata of calciferous and crystalline rock. — National Geographic, "Hiking the Alpe-Adria Trail through Austria, Slovenia, and Italy," 12 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'stratum.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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More Definitions for stratum

stratum

noun

English Language Learners Definition of stratum

: one of usually many layers of a substance (such as rock)

: a level of society made up of people of the same rank or position

See the full definition for stratum in the English Language Learners Dictionary

stratum

noun

stra·tum | \ ˈstrā-təm

, ˈstra-\

plural strata\ -tə \

Kids Definition of stratum

: layer entry 1 sense 1 a stratum of rock

stratum

noun

stra·tum | \ ˈstrāt-əm

, ˈstrat-

plural strata\ ˈstrāt-ə

, ˈstrat-

stratum

Definition of stratum

Synonyms for stratum

Is strata singular or plural?: Usage Guide

Did You Know?

Examples of stratum in a Sentence

First Known Use of stratum

History and Etymology for stratum

English Language Learners Definition of stratum

Kids Definition of stratum

stratum

Definition of stratum

Synonyms for stratum

Is strata singular or plural?: Usage Guide

Did You Know?

Examples of stratum in a Sentence

First Known Use of stratum

History and Etymology for stratum

English Language Learners Definition of stratum

Kids Definition of stratum

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