stratum Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun one of several parallel layers of material arranged one on top of another (such as a layer of tissue or cells in an organism or a layer of sedimentary rock)
  2. noun people having the same social, economic, or educational status
    social class; socio-economic class; class.
    • the working class
    • an emerging professional class
  3. noun an abstract place usually conceived as having depth
    layer; level.
    • a good actor communicates on several levels
    • a simile has at least two layers of meaning
    • the mind functions on many strata simultaneously

WordNet

Stra"tum noun
Etymology
L., from sternere, stratum, to spread; akin to Gr. to spread, strew. See Strew, and cf. Consternation, Estrade, Prostrate, Stratus, Street.
Wordforms
plural E Stratums L Strata The latter is more common
Definitions
  1. (Geol.) A bed of earth or rock of one kind, formed by natural causes, and consisting usually of a series of layers, which form a rock as it lies between beds of other kinds. Also used figuratively.
  2. A bed or layer artificially made; a course.

Webster 1913