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
Both the Cook Political Report and Sabato's Crystal Ball classify the race as a likely victory for Spanberger.
—
Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
Currently, there are 25 international destinations classified under the level 3 designation, including several others in Africa like Ethiopia, Uganda, Niger, Mauritania, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Chad, Burundi, Guinea-Bissau, and Nigeria.
—Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 24 Oct. 2025
In reality, the government officials said, those people should be classified as employees.
—Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 24 Oct. 2025
MacKinnon had a game-high eight shots on goal, including at least two that can only be classified as great saves by Vejmelka.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for classify
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Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
Currently, there are 25 international destinations classified under the level 3 designation, including several others in Africa like Ethiopia, Uganda, Niger, Mauritania, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Chad, Burundi, Guinea-Bissau, and Nigeria.
—Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 24 Oct. 2025
In reality, the government officials said, those people should be classified as employees.
—Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 24 Oct. 2025
MacKinnon had a game-high eight shots on goal, including at least two that can only be classified as great saves by Vejmelka.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 22 Oct. 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 31 Oct. 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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