Entry Word: class

Function: noun

Meaning: 1 one of the segments of society into which people are grouped <a politician who appeals to people of every class>

Synonyms caste, estate, folk, order, stratum

Related Words bracket, echelon, grade, layer, level, tier; place, position, rank, standing, status; grouping, hierarchy, stratification; clan, family, people, race, tribe

2 one of the units into which a whole is divided on the basis of a common characteristic <a new class of wireless devices that could be used for Internet access as well as personal communication>

Synonyms bracket, category, division, family, grade, group, kind, order, rank(s), set, species, type

Related Words description, feather, ilk, nature, sort; branch, section, subdivision, subgroup, variety; breed, race; classification, heading, label, rubric, title

3 a number of persons or things that are grouped together because they have something in common <only a particular class of burglar would do that> — see sort 1
4 a series of lectures on a subject <took a class on modern art> — see course 2
5 degree of excellence <only horses of great class are allowed to enter the Kentucky Derby> — see quality 1
6 dignified or restrained beauty of form, appearance, or style <an old mansion with tremendous class that puts todayʼs gaudy behemoths to shame> — see elegance
7 high position within society <the woman exudes an aura of class and breeding> — see rank 2