middle-class

1 of 2

adjective

mid·​dle-class ˌmi-dᵊl-ˈklas How to pronounce middle-class (audio)
: of or relating to the middle class
especially : characterized by a high material standard of living, sexual morality, and respect for property
middle-classness noun

middle class

2 of 2

noun

: a class occupying a position between the upper class and the lower class
especially : a fluid heterogeneous socioeconomic grouping composed principally of business and professional people, bureaucrats, and some farmers and skilled workers sharing common social characteristics and values

Examples of middle-class in a Sentence

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.
Adjective
For me, the Heartland represents midsize cities like Tulsa, middle-class citizens, and those striving to reach the middle class. Nicholas Lalla, WIRED, 4 Mar. 2025 Children from families in the top 1% are more than twice as likely to attend a top college as those from middle-class families with comparable SAT or ACT scores, according to a 2023 paper from the National Bureau of Economic Research. Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 3 Mar. 2025
Noun
Her campaign targeted split-ticket voters, emphasizing affordable healthcare, costs of living, and jobs for working and middle class Americans, while taking a moderate stance on gun laws. Miranda Jeyaretnam, TIME, 4 Mar. 2025 Fairness is no longer a concern as the rich grow more prosperous and powerful while the poor grow poorer, and the middle class disappears. Tom Zirpoli, Baltimore Sun, 4 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for middle-class

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1836, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1745, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of middle-class was in 1745

Browse Nearby Words

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Middle-class.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/middle-class. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

middle class

noun
: a social class that occupies a position between the upper class and the lower class and is composed mainly of business and professional people, government officials, farmers, and skilled workers
middle-class adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on middle-class

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!