ɡɹeɪd ˈlɛv.əl ˈtɪə ˈtaɪ.ə(ɹ) one of two or more layers one atop another tier upon tier of huge casks a three-tier wedding cake something that is used for tying the sail is fastened to the yard with tiers a worker who ties something any one of two or more competitors who tie one another a relative position or degree of value in a graded group lumber of the highest grade