threetiered

Threetiered is an adjective describing something composed of three distinct tiers or layers. It is often written as three-tiered in standard usage, while threetiered appears mainly in technical identifiers, branding, or compact text where hyphens are impractical.

In computing, three-tiered architecture is a common design that separates concerns into presentation, logic, and data layers. The presentation tier handles the user interface, the logic tier runs application rules, and the data tier manages storage. These layers may run on separate machines or be logically isolated within one system. Benefits include modularity, scalability, and easier maintenance, while drawbacks can include added complexity, potential latency between tiers, and the need for careful security and integration.

Outside computing, threetiered describes objects with three levels, such as a three-tiered cake or a multi-level display. The term also appears in architectural contexts to indicate tiered designs.

Spelling and style notes: three-tiered is the standard form in most guides; threetiered is less common and typically found in branding or data identifiers. The term derives from three plus tier.