Definition of Pecking order

1. Noun. The organization of people at different ranks in an administrative body.


Definition of Pecking order

1. Noun. The usually informal hierarchy of authority or command, often partial or approximate, as determined by the especially natural propensity for domination of different members of a specific group over each other, such as older brothers and sisters over their younger siblings. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Lexicographical Neighbors of Pecking Order

peck at
peck out
pecke
pecked
peckers
peckerwood
peckerwood sawmill
peckerwoods
peckes
peckier
peckiest
pecking
pecking order (current term)
peckingly
peckings
peckish
peckishly
peckled
pecks
pecksniffian
pecky
pecopteris
pecora
pecoraite
pecorini
pecorino
pecorinos

Literary usage of Pecking order

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The Origin of Emotions: Version 1.0 by Mark Devon (2006)
"Rank and pecking order are different. pecking order helps individuals by ... pecking order sets a group's eating order to avoid having a fight before every ..."

2. Getting Off the Hook: Treatment of Drug Addiction and Social Disorders by Jurriaan Plesman (1986)
"7) HIERARCHY, OR THE pecking order Using this technique is, in itself, manipulative, with perhaps some justification. You resort to this strategy when ..."

3. Japan, Disincorporated: The Economic Liberalization Process by Leon Hollerman (1988)
"In some cases, liberalization may be supported by those whose relative position in the pecking order would be improved by an absolute decline in the ..."

4. The Future of Arid Grasslands: Identifying Issues, Seeking Solutions edited by Barbara Tellman (1999)
"The ecologist will need elevated from the bottom of the pecking order to the top. ... If we can begin to invert this pecking order and then bring in a ..."

5. Memoirs of a Winner by Gary Ward Scott (2007)
"Many really hate only their previous position in the pecking order of their former country, but love the idea of being at the top of that old pecking order, ..."

6. Power in Transition: The Peaceful Change of International Order by Charles Kupchan (2001)
"Establishing an initial consensus on international hierarchy - a "pecking order" of influence and status - is a starting point. The hegemon tacitly cedes ..."

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