classify
verb
clas·si·fy
ˈkla-sə-ˌfī 
classified; classifying
1
: to arrange in classes (see class entry 1 sense 3)
classifying books according to subject matter
2
: to consider (someone or something) as belonging to a particular group
The movie is classified as a comedy.
The vehicle is classified as a truck.
Synonyms
Examples of classify in a Sentence
Students will be learning about the ways scientists classify animals.
The online system can classify books by subject.
Recent Examples on the Web
The law effectively nullifies a 2023 state Supreme Court ruling holding that multiple convictions stemming from the same criminal complaint do not necessarily classify someone as a repeat offender.
—
Jessie Opoien, Journal Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2024
Since lovastatin is classified as a drug, it is often left out as an ingredient by supplement makers looking to avoid the additional regulatory scrutiny.
—Kate Gibson, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2024
The chart company publishes the ranking to show which tunes classified as hard rock–a subgenre of rock–actually sold the most copies in the country in each tracking period.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
Venice fiercely kept the lucrative industry classified: The workers who made the reflective wonders moved in 1291 to the island of Murano—better to keep safe from spies—and guildsmen were sworn not to spill on pain of death.
—The Editors, Robb Report, 28 Mar. 2024
Ideally, one day there will be a simple test to classify patients and help doctors find the most effective treatment, Wiendl said.
—Isabella Cueto, STAT, 27 Mar. 2024
But even if it had been renewed, Cavallaro had already violated rules for keeping animals classified as dangerous by letting other people pet the alligator and even get in the pool with him, the department said.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2024
In 2020, ride-hailing services Uber and Lyft sent notifications to users in California urging them to oppose Proposition 22, a ballot initiative allowing the companies to continue classifying their drivers as contractors, not employees.
—Cristiano Lima-Strong, Washington Post, 21 Mar. 2024
The only formats to record a decline in 2023 were digital downloads and what IFPI classifies as other (non-streaming) digital formats, which fell by 2.6% to $900 million, representing just 3.2% of the global market.
—Richard Smirke, Billboard, 21 Mar. 2024
Jessie Opoien, Journal Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2024
Since lovastatin is classified as a drug, it is often left out as an ingredient by supplement makers looking to avoid the additional regulatory scrutiny.
—Kate Gibson, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2024
The chart company publishes the ranking to show which tunes classified as hard rock–a subgenre of rock–actually sold the most copies in the country in each tracking period.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
Venice fiercely kept the lucrative industry classified: The workers who made the reflective wonders moved in 1291 to the island of Murano—better to keep safe from spies—and guildsmen were sworn not to spill on pain of death.
—The Editors, Robb Report, 28 Mar. 2024
Ideally, one day there will be a simple test to classify patients and help doctors find the most effective treatment, Wiendl said.
—Isabella Cueto, STAT, 27 Mar. 2024
But even if it had been renewed, Cavallaro had already violated rules for keeping animals classified as dangerous by letting other people pet the alligator and even get in the pool with him, the department said.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2024
In 2020, ride-hailing services Uber and Lyft sent notifications to users in California urging them to oppose Proposition 22, a ballot initiative allowing the companies to continue classifying their drivers as contractors, not employees.
—Cristiano Lima-Strong, Washington Post, 21 Mar. 2024
The only formats to record a decline in 2023 were digital downloads and what IFPI classifies as other (non-streaming) digital formats, which fell by 2.6% to $900 million, representing just 3.2% of the global market.
—Richard Smirke, Billboard, 21 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'classify.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near classify
Cite this Entry
“Classify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/classify. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
classify
verb
clas·si·fy
ˈklas-ə-ˌfī
classified; classifying
: to arrange in or assign to classes
classify books by subjects
classifier
noun
-ˌfī(-ə)r
Medical Definition
classify
transitive verb
clas·si·fy
ˈklas-ə-ˌfī
classified; classifying
: to arrange in classes that have systematic relations usually founded on common properties
how would you classify these animals
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