stratum

The definition of a stratum means a layer or a section, or a division of the atmosphere or ocean, or a section of society.

(noun)

An example of a stratum is the cheese layer of a lasagna.
An example of a stratum is the layer with one soil type in rock sample.
An example of a stratum is the top layer of skin.
An example of a stratum in Earth’s atmosphere is the Thermosphere.
An example of a stratum is the social position of a young person born to a wealthy family.

See stratum in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun pl. strata or stratums

a horizontal layer or section of material, esp. any of several lying one upon another; specif.,
1. Biol. a layer of tissue
2. Geol. a single layer of sedimentary rock
a section, level, or division, as of the atmosphere or ocean, regarded as like a stratum
any of the socioeconomic groups of a society as determined by birth, income, education, etc.

Origin: ModL < L, a covering, blanket < stratus, pp. of sternere, to spread, stretch out, cover: for IE base see strew

See stratum in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun pl. stra·ta (-tə) or stra·tums

A horizontal layer of material, especially one of several parallel layers arranged one on top of another.
Geology A bed or layer of sedimentary rock having approximately the same composition throughout.
Any of the regions of the atmosphere, such as the troposphere, that occur as layers.
Biology A layer of tissue: the epithelial stratum.
A level of society composed of people with similar social, cultural, or economic status.
One of a number of layers, levels, or divisions in an organized system: a complex poem with many strata of meaning.

Origin:

Origin: Latin strātum, a covering

Origin: , from neuter past participle of sternere, to spread; see stratus

Related Forms: