classify

verb

clas·​si·​fy ˈkla-sə-ˌfī How to pronounce classify (audio)
classified; classifying

transitive verb

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.
classifiable adjective

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
According to the plan, the parade would be classified as a national special security event, and that request has been submitted by the National Park Service and is under review. Lolita C. Baldor, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2025 Boys of Summer is classified as a fougère, a classically masculine scent categorized by herbaceous top notes (usually lavender), a floral heart, and a green, woody base. Ariel Wodarcyk, Glamour, 2 May 2025 The outfit may, in fact, be the most commercially viable pop band ever, depending on how certain acts are classified. Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025 While some Republicans were critical of the incident, the administration largely dismissed concerns, saying that the information was not classified. Peter Aitken jason Lemon, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for classify

Word History

Etymology

probably in part a back-formation from classification, in part from class entry 1 + -ify

First Known Use

1776, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of classify was in 1776

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Classify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/classify. Accessed 11 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

classify

verb
clas·​si·​fy ˈklas-ə-ˌfī How to pronounce classify (audio)
classified; classifying
: to arrange in or assign to classes
classify books by subjects
classifiable adjective
classifier
-ˌfī(-ə)r
noun

Medical Definition

classify

transitive verb
clas·​si·​fy ˈklas-ə-ˌfī How to pronounce classify (audio)
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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