classification

noun

clas·​si·​fi·​ca·​tion ˌkla-sə-fə-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce classification (audio)
1
: the act or process of classifying
2
a
: systematic arrangement in groups or categories according to established criteria
specifically : taxonomy

Examples of classification in a Sentence

the classification of new species job classifications for government workers
Recent Examples on the Web Perhaps part of the reason is the lack of a formal behind-the-counter classification of drugs. Joshua Cohen, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2024 Native identity is a legal and political classification, based on filial lineage and tribal citizenship. Jay Caspian Kang, The New Yorker, 26 Feb. 2024 Middle-class aspirations existed long before the classification came to be. Erika Page, The Christian Science Monitor, 22 Feb. 2024 Based on this FoM, the ICFO team has developed a classification of TPV performances reported in recent experiments. IEEE Spectrum, 21 Feb. 2024 Comparison between land cover classifications for the late 1980s and for the late 2010s. Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 14 Feb. 2024 The official classification as an aubrite, following a mineralogy assessment conducted with an electron beam microprobe, came from Berlin’s Natural History Museum. Tara Wu, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Feb. 2024 The growth of the children’s apparel market by 2027 is likely to overtake other retail classifications. Walter Loeb, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2024 And people say oh there's over- classification these days. CBS News, 11 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'classification.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1767, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Time Traveler
The first known use of classification was in 1767

Dictionary Entries Near classification

Cite this Entry

“Classification.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/classification. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

classification

noun
clas·​si·​fi·​ca·​tion ˌklas-(ə-)fə-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce classification (audio)
1
: the act or process of classifying
2
a
: systematic arrangement in groups : taxonomy
classificatory adjective

Medical Definition

classification

noun
clas·​si·​fi·​ca·​tion ˌklas-(ə-)fə-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce classification (audio)
1
: the act or process of classifying
2
: systematic arrangement of animals and plants in groups or categories according to established criteria
specifically : taxonomy sense 2

Legal Definition

classification

noun
clas·​si·​fi·​ca·​tion
: the act or method of distributing into a class or category according to characteristics
also : a class or category determined by characteristics see also suspect classification

More from Merriam-Webster on classification

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