two-tier

American

[too-teer] / ˈtuˈtɪər /

Or two-tiered

adjective

consisting of two tiers, floors, levels, or the like.

a two-tier wedding cake.
consisting of two separate price structures, sets of regulations, etc..

a two-tier fare system for subways and buses.

two-tier British

adjective

involving or comprising two levels of structure, policy, etc

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of two-tier

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said: "We want to work with local councils to deliver our ambition to simplify local government and end inefficient two-tier structures, including in Essex."

From BBC

The proposed reforms to local government would replace the two-tier system of district and county councils that exists in many parts of England with new unitary authorities responsible for delivering all councils services in their area.

From BBC

The result is a two-tier system: a global audience watching from home, and a smaller, more exclusive crowd inside the venue.

From Salon

But the government has insisted delays are needed to allow once-in-a-generation reforms to end the outdated two-tier system and build stronger local councils.

From BBC

The rejig of local government will replace the two-tier system of district and county councils that exists in many parts of England with new 'unitary' councils responsible for delivering all councils services in their area.

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023