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.
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
More than half of the cases — 417 — were classified as immigration violations.
—
Norma Galeana, CNN Money, 4 July 2025
Cashews are classified as tree nuts, one of the nine major food allergens.
—Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 July 2025
According to the department, $64 million of the funding withheld was for educator professional development and $37 million was allocated for before- and after-school programs, with $38 million in funds classified for academic enrichment.
—Lily Altavena, Freep.com, 3 July 2025
The charges are are each classified as a Class B felony and are punishable by up to 20 years in prison, the DCJ said.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for classify
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Norma Galeana, CNN Money, 4 July 2025
Cashews are classified as tree nuts, one of the nine major food allergens.
—Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 July 2025
According to the department, $64 million of the funding withheld was for educator professional development and $37 million was allocated for before- and after-school programs, with $38 million in funds classified for academic enrichment.
—Lily Altavena, Freep.com, 3 July 2025
The charges are are each classified as a Class B felony and are punishable by up to 20 years in prison, the DCJ said.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for classify
Cite this Entry
“Classify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/classify. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.
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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