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
Those devices are not classified the same as the electric bicycles, which have pedals but are motor assisted.
—
Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 June 2026
These challenges are compounded by broader economic pressures, with more than one-third classified as Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE) households.
—Sky Beard, Sun Sentinel, 2 June 2026
Only 28 have been classified as sophisticated, and officials said the last operational tunnel found in the region was discovered in 2022.
—Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 2 June 2026
The next highest scorer was retailer Walmart, followed by AES and NextEra Energy, which are both classified as utilities.
—Cj Haddad, CNBC, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for classify
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Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 June 2026
These challenges are compounded by broader economic pressures, with more than one-third classified as Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE) households.
—Sky Beard, Sun Sentinel, 2 June 2026
Only 28 have been classified as sophisticated, and officials said the last operational tunnel found in the region was discovered in 2022.
—Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 2 June 2026
The next highest scorer was retailer Walmart, followed by AES and NextEra Energy, which are both classified as utilities.
—Cj Haddad, CNBC, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for classify
Cite this Entry
“Classify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/classify. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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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